Tata Communications Joins Air France–KLM's Corporate SAF Program

Air France-KLM Group today announces that Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, has joined its Corporate SAF program to promote and develop the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Tata Communications is the first global corporate from India to join this program which actively supports the transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and will therefore contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions generated by aviation.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels are the most decisive ways of reducing CO2 emissions in the aviation industry. However, the production is currently very limited and SAF represented approximately 0.1% of the global jet fuel use in 2022.

The corporate SAF program allows Air France-KLM to partner with organizations to accelerate the production and usage of SAF, and thus pave the way towards making SAF more readily available with the aim to contribute to a more sustainable future in aviation.

SAF projects selected by Air France-KLM reduce CO2 emissions by at least 75% compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis.

Speaking on the announcement, Claude Sarre, General Manager Indian Sub-Continent , Air France-KLM said: “Decarbonizing aviation comes with several challenges, compelling the industry to collaborate with various stakeholders and seek innovative solutions to minimize the environmental impact. As a responsible player, sustainability is embedded at the core of the Air France- KLM Group's strategy, with a strong emphasis on the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). We are proud to welcome Tata Communications in the Air France–KLM Corporate SAF Program. This agreement is significant towards raising awareness and addressing sustainability challenges the aviation industry faces. Tata Communications, has a strong commitment towards environment preservation. We are happy to take the first step of this journey in India with them, to make flying more sustainable.”

Kim Bybjerg, Vice President and Head of Continental Europe, Tata Communications, said "With our commitment to be Net Zero by 2035, we are making a strategic shift in our business travels for a sustainable planet. One of our initiatives is to adopt sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce our carbon emissions. I am pleased to announce our relationship with Air France-KLM and other leading airlines through SAF usage on select routes. I believe our adoption of SAF will encourage employees and more organisations to take up sustainable travel.”

Sustainable aviation fuels, a key lever for reducing the environmental impact of the airline industry

Air France-KLM's objective is to reduce its total CO₂ emissions per passenger/km by 30% compared with 2019. To achieve this SBTi-validated target, the Group aims to incorporate a min. of 10% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) by 2030, beyond the European mandate of 6% for flight departures in Europe by the same deadline.

Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the most promising levers for reducing CO₂ emissions from aviation. They are currently made from used cooking oils, waste or agricultural and forestry residues. In the future, sustainable synthetic aviation fuels will also be available, made from hydrogen and carbon captured from the atmosphere.

Air France-KLM has implemented a strict sourcing policy and is committed to purchasing only SAF that do not compete with food or feed, are RSB or ISCC certified for their sustainability, and are not produced from palm oil. SAF projects selected by Air France-KLM reduce CO₂ emissions by a minimum of 75% compared with conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis, and require no engine modifications.

Tata Communications sustainable travel initiatives

As part of the new sustainable travel initiative, Tata Communications has adopted the use of Electric Vehicles (EV) in India for employee travel instead of Internal Combustion Engine vehicles, providing EV charging at few office facilities and has partnered for sustainable aviation fuel for travel. Further, Tata Communications is focusing on reducing air travel emissions and encouraging employees to travel by rail routes instead of short haul flights especially in the United Kingdom & European Union.