In a landmark move towards a sustainable aviation industry, SAS, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Copenhagen Airport, and Aalborg Airport have signed a collaboration agreement to form a joint and united front, supporting Danish production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF).
This partnership aims to accelerate the important transformation of the aviation industry, positioning Denmark as a key player in the effort toward environmentally responsible aviation. It aspires to create public awareness and regulatory support that can help accelerate the green transition and showcases how it is possible to build a “sustainability valley” in Denmark and Scandinavia where renewable energy can be transformed to sustainable fuel, creating new green industrial jobs and adding to energy autonomy.
Fjord PtX is a Danish PtX project under development by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners that aims to produce synthetic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF). In the agreement between SAS, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Copenhagen Airport, and Aalborg Airport, Fjord PtX is representing a successful Danish showcase, and the partnership aims to create the optimal conditions for its success. The organizations behind this initiative bring their combined expertise to respond to the Danish goals for sustainable domestic aviation and to meet ReFuelEU Aviation requirements. Fjord PtX envisions contributing to the decarbonization of the Danish and European aviation industry while supporting the local community by creating jobs in the sustainable sector.
With the necessary resources in place, Denmark has a unique opportunity to establish a leadership position in sustainable aviation, furthering its transition and ensuring the longevity of this crucial industry.
“Our partnership combines expertise to drive shared sustainability goals, tackling the critical challenges of sustainable transformation together. This agreement sets a strong foundation for our project, underscoring our commitment to an urgent transition. The opportunities ahead are simply too valuable to miss”, says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS.
“We have been developing our project for the past three years, and today’s agreement with the most important actors in Danish aviation is a positive step forward toward sustainable aviation. We urge European and Danish governments and authorities to step up by providing clear and supportive schemes, which will be key for the ramp up of this new industry. With the right frameworks in place, this partnership and Fjord PtX can become a cornerstone of Denmark’s sustainable future”, says Søren Toftgaard, partner at CIP.
“The aviation industry urgently needs sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, it is essential to begin producing new fuels as soon as possible. As Denmark’s largest airport, we are committed to supporting a more climate-friendly aviation sector and look forward to collaborating with our partners on this important initiative”, says Christian Poulsen, CEO of Copenhagen Airports.
“Achieving greater sustainability in aviation is an absolute necessity. For Aalborg Airport, this collaboration is a key step towards fulfilling our ambitious sustainability goals. Aalborg is the ideal location for Fjord PtX, as it provides the essential resources needed to drive sustainable development”, says Niels Kjær Hemmingsen, CEO of Aalborg Airport.
Read more about Fjord PtX here: www.fjord-ptx.com
About SAS
SAS, Scandinavia’s leading airline since 1946, operates from its principal hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), complemented by hubs in Oslo (OSL) and Stockholm (ARN).Our mission is to connect Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Each year, SAS serves more than 25 million passengers and transports 60 000 tons of cargo to 135 destinations across Europe, the USA, and Asia. With a passionate workforce of over 10,000 colleagues, we collaborate with partners and customers to drive transformative changes in aviation. We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, embodying the visionary spirit of our founders: “To move from the old to what is about to come, is the only tradition worth keeping”. Innovation and societal progress are at the heart of everything we do. SAS joined SkyTeam in September 2024 and together with our partner airlines we offer a wide network worldwide.
About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.
CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 31 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 180 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 14 offices around the world.
About Copenhagen Airports
Copenhagen Airports A/S operates the airports in Copenhagen/Kastrup and Roskilde. As Denmark’s largest airport, with 29.8 million passengers expected to travel through its terminals in 2024, Copenhagen Airport is a vital part of the Danish economy and infrastructure. This is a position that must be maintained in the future. That is why the airport invests in its development and supports the industry’s ambitious goals for greener aviation. Copenhagen Airport is already busy preparing for the aircraft of the future, the travel patterns of the future, and the technology of the future – in close collaboration with its partners.
About Aalborg Airport
Aalborg Airport stands as Denmark’s third-largest airport, seamlessly connecting passengers to global destinations. Renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, the airport’s staff consistently provide attentive service to all passengers. Aalborg Airport is looked upon as the natural gateway due to our easy access by car and national train.
Aalborg Airport has laid out an ambitious climate strategy, which should result in becoming a CO2-neutral airport in 2025.
Featured image credited to SAS
