Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, and OMV, the international integrated oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, have today (14^th Sept) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Ryanair airports across Austria, Germany and Romania. While limited production of SAF remains a global aviation issue, this MoU gives Ryanair unique access to purchase up to 160,000 tonnes (53m gallons) of SAF from OMV over the next 8 years, saving over 400,000 tonnes in CO₂ emissions (equivalent to c.25,000 Ryanair flights from Dublin to Vienna).

This landmark deal demonstrates Ryanair’s continued commitment towards 12.5% SAF by 2030 target and the airline’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Ryanair has already made significant progress towards its environmental goals through its $22bn investment in its new Boeing 737 ‘Gamechanger’ fleet, which produce 16% less emissions and 40% less noise; the Sustainable Aviation Research Centre in Trinity College Dublin, and now its partnership with OMV, who is also advancing its ambitious strategic sustainability goals by adding SAF to its product range among several other measures.

Speaking from Vienna, Ryanair’s Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler said:

“SAF plays a key role in our Pathway to Net Zero decarbonisation strategy in which we have committed to increasing our use of SAF over the coming years – a commitment that this deal with OMV will help move further forward. OMV is a key partner for Ryanair in Austria, Germany and Romania and we look forward to growing this partnership as Europe’s largest airline Group.”

Nina Marczell, OMV Vice President Aviation, Fuels Distributors & Public Sector:

“We are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint as well as supporting our customers in reducing theirs. This Memorandum of Understanding is a great opportunity to accelerate both companies’ sustainability efforts. Sustainable aviation fuel significantly reduces CO₂ emissions, and we are delighted to collaborate with a strong partner like Ryanair and to provide solutions for the sustainable development of the aviation industry.”