Brussels Airlines integrates environmental responsibility in partnership with Sunweb group

The Belgian home carrier facilitates the online tour operator in buying about 250 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Brussels, 3 April 2024 - ​ Brussels Airlines and Sunweb Group reach an agreement for the purchase of ca. 250 tonnes of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Building on their long-term partnership, the airline and the online tour operator define environmental responsibility as a top priority in their cooperation towards more sustainable travel.

Brussels Airlines and Sunweb Group are aware of their environmental impact. The two partners are committed to finding a balance between discovering our planet, protecting it and offering more sustainable leisure travel. Both parties have recently signed an agreement for the purchase of about 250 tonnes of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

“Next to accelerated fleet renewal, sustainable aviation fuel is the most effective lever currently available to reduce emissions from air travel. We are very happy to have signed this SAF purchase with Sunweb Group - which is one of the largest bulk deals for us and Lufthansa Group - and look forward to building more sustainable partnerships in the future.”
​- Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines

The volume of the purchased Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel can cover up to 80,000 kilometers flown with an Airbus A320ceo or almost 100,000 kilometers with an Airbus A320neo. When used in neat form (i.e. not blended), SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% over the lifetime of the fuel compared to using fossil aviation fuel.

Commitment towards more sustainable aviation

The agreement on the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel between Brussels Airlines and Sunweb Group shows the commitment of both parties for making leisure travel less carbon intensive. Acquiring this fuel from Lufthansa Group (LHG) 1 provides the tour operator with the highest quality standards of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

"We are proud to start cooperating with Brussels Airlines on SAF. Although this purchase currently only represents a small percentage (1.4%) of the fuel we would use on a yearly basis 2, it is an important step towards making flying more sustainable. In 2023, SAF only met about 0.2% of the airlines sector’s global fuel needs. In order to reduce airplane emissions, we need to raise SAF's share. Through investing in SAF together with Brussels Airlines, we aim to show that sustainability is a responsibility for us all." ​
​- Lars Löfgren, CEO, Sunweb Group

1 2 The purchase of SAF is managed centrally by Lufthansa Group. The group guarantees that the SAF will be put into general flight operations at the LHG hubs.

Nico Cardone

Nico Cardone

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com