Neste and Viva Aerobus sign purchase agreement for one million liters of sustainable aviation fuel
Neste Corporation, News, 24 April 2023
Photo: courtesy of Viva Aerobus
Neste and Viva Aerobus, the Mexican ultra low-cost carrier, have signed a new purchase agreement for one million liters (264,000 gallons) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™. The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied to Viva Aerobus will be blended with conventional jet fuel and used to power the airline’s flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
Last year, on June 15, Viva Aerobus completed its first flight powered by Neste’s SAF from Los Angeles to Guadalajara, and the current agreement is the next step in fulfilling the airline’s mission of further reducing its carbon emissions. SAF-powered flights will start to take off in the second half of 2023 with each flight using a fuel blend with about 35% of Neste MY SAF. The total volume of SAF purchased will help Viva Aerobus reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,415 tons of CO2e*, equivalent to the emissions of 537 passenger cars in the U.S. in a year**.
“We embrace the goal to reduce our carbon footprint, a goal which requires an extensive commitment. We are proud to increase the use of SAF, partnering with Neste, and we will also continue to take further steps in adhering to best practices in sustainability such as optimizing our fuel efficiency. We deeply thank Neste for supporting us on our journey towards becoming a more eco-friendly carrier,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus.
“We are thrilled to team up with Viva Aerobus, a fast-growing airline, and support their commitment to minimizing the carbon footprint of their flights with our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Los Angeles International Airport is an important hub for Viva Aerobus travelers to fly between the U.S. and Mexico, and this partnership will make their trips more sustainable, building on Neste’s capabilities to supply SAF to airlines at one of the busiest airports in the US and the world,” said Michael Sargeant, Vice President Americas from the Renewable Aviation business unit at Neste.
In addition to purchasing Neste’s SAF, Viva's recent efforts to contribute to a more sustainable Mexican air industry include Viva being the airline with the youngest aircraft fleet in Mexico equipped with fuel-efficient technology, implementing the first program in the Mexico aimed to separate and recycle on-board waste, and the launching of its voluntary carbon offset program.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
SAF is a renewable aviation fuel providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil based jet fuel. It is widely recognized as a key lever to achieve aviation’s emission reduction goals. Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%*** over the fuel’s life cycle, compared to using conventional jet fuel. Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.
*) Calculated based on fossil jet fuel life cycle emissions of 3.9 tons CO2e per metric ton jet fuel and a reduction of GHG emissions of up to 80% by replacing fossil fuel with neat SAF.
**) See here: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
***) When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology
Further information:
Neste: Please contact Neste's media service, tel. +358 800 94025 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET). Please subscribe to Neste’s releases at https://www.neste.com/for-media/releases-and-news/subscribe.
Viva Aerobus: Walfred Castro, Director of Corporate Communication of Viva Aerobus, walfred.castro@vivaaerobus.com or Tarssis Dessavre, Account executive of PRoa Structura, tdo@proa.structura.com.mx
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion. Read more: neste.com
About Viva Aerobus
Viva Aerobus is Mexico’s ultra-low-cost airline. It started operations in 2006 and today it operates the youngest Latin American fleet with 69 Airbus: 43 A320 and 26 A321. With a clear vision to give all people the opportunity to fly, Viva Aerobus has democratized the airline industry with the lowest fares in Mexico and the lowest cost structure in America, making their flights the best value offer. For more information please visit: www.vivaaerobus.com/en
