Sustainable Jet Fuel Tested at Budapest’s Main Airport

The Hungarian oil and gas company Mol, the airliner Wizz Air and Liszt Ferenc International Airport are testing a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. The fuel was purchased by Mol from the Finnish company Neste. Wizz Air's flight to Paris took off on Wednesday filled with this fuel as part of the test.

At the press conference prior to the refueling, Chris Dinsdale, the outgoing CEO of Budapest Airport, the management company of the Ferenc Liszt International Airport, stressed that it is important for air transport to become sustainable, and that airports, airlines and partners must work together to achieve this.

He added that Budapest Airport is looking into the process of sustainable aviation refueling to be prepared to serve airlines with a more significant amount of innovative fuels.

The Managing Director of the Mol Group's Fuel Business Unit, Csaba Zsótér, said that their strategic goal is to launch a circular economy in the region, and sustainable aviation fuel can help them achieve this.

He pointed out that they are constantly testing new technologies and developing their products to strengthen the region's security of supply with low-carbon fuels and accelerate the green transition.

He recalled that, so far, the major step towards greening has been taken mainly in road transport fuels, and that since 2021 the Danube Refinery has been co-processing vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats with fossil components to produce more sustainable diesel. They have now bought 25 tons of kerosene for aviation, containing 37% sustainable fuel, and are confident that this will be a sought-after product among their customers.

Wizz Air's Director of Sustainability, Yvonne Moynihan, said the company has the lowest carbon emissions per passenger kilometer compared to its competitors and is continually striving to further reduce emissions.

The testing of sustainable jet fuel proves that industry collaboration is one of the most effective ways to address the challenges of climate change, he added. The airline, which has a sustainability strategy, aims to reduce its carbon emissions by a further 25% by 2030, Yvonne Moynihan said.

According to a joint statement from the stakeholders, the new-generation jet fuel being tested is made from renewable waste and residual raw materials, produced in a sustainable way. The Neste fuel is compatible with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure, so it does not require any investment to use it.