Rotterdam Airport’s ‘Fly on SAF’ program helps travelers reduce flight footprints

According to a recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group, 69% of travelers want to be presented with more sustainable options when they travel. Airports across the world have recognized this shift and are seizing the opportunity to play their part in delivering more environmentally-friendly options for their customers.

As the first airport to achieve Level 4+ Transition of Airport Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) in 2021, Rotterdam The Hauge Airport is on the right track to achieve its goals of reducing CO2 emissions to 2005 levels by 2030 and decarbonization by 2050.

Attaining Level 4+ accreditation requires a long-term sustainability strategy oriented towards absolute emissions reductions. Rotterdam The Hague Airport also aligned with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to below 2°C. Part of its journey saw the airport team up with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplier, SkyNRG ,and climate tech company, CHOOOSE, in the creation of the Fly on SAF tool. Environmentally conscious travelers can use the tool directly on the airport’s website to understand the estimated CO2 emissions associated with their flights and to then voluntarily choose to support SAF, which has the ability to reduce lifecycle carbon missions by up to 80%, as compared to conventional, petroleum-based fuel.

Passengers are exposed to the program at several key touch points, including on video screens, in the departure hall, and at restaurants.

The digital solutions, powered by CHOOOSE, enable airlines, airports, online travel agents, destination management companies, and global tourism organizations the ability to offer trusted climate solutions, such as sustainable aviation fuel, to customers.

The Fly on SAF tool provides carbon emissions estimates and an opportunity to take climate action, and is directly embedded as a web app on the airport’s website. Using a slider in the carbon app, customers can select their preferred distribution of SAF and other climate solutions to address their carbon emissions, and CHOOOSE takes care of the rest.

Behind the scenes, Rotterdam Airport also makes use of an online portal that enables the airport to track, report on, and analyze solution performance and customer engagement.

The purchase of SAF works through the Book and Claim principle: when customers contribute towards SAF, rather than having to transport fuel to the aircraft (which generates additional carbon emissions from unnecessary travel), the alternative fuel is pumped into an airplane near a SAF production facility, which also lowers cost.

Sustainable aviation fuel is a low-carbon alternative to conventional fossil fuel, with the ability to emit up to 80% fewer lifecycle carbon emissions. The fuel is made from renewable resources, called feedstocks, like agricultural waste, cooking oils, fats, and greases. Resources are then processed to create a chemical almost identical to kerosene, allowing SAF can be safely mixed with existing jet fuel without requiring a complete overhaul of existing airport infrastructure, engines, or aircraft design.

The use of SAF does still create emissions; however, in addition to much fewer emissions than petroleum-based jet fuel, it also recycles CO2 already present in the atmosphere, whereas jet fuel generates additional CO2.

"As a sector, we are working hard to reduce CO2 emissions, and SAF is the most effective short-term measure in achieving this and our transition as an industry towards sustainable aviation."

Michelle Samson, Head of Strategy and Sustainable Development at Rotterdam The Hague Airport said: “Sustainability of aviation is of great importance to us and our ambition is to be one of the most sustainable airports in the world. As a sector, we are working hard to reduce CO2 emissions, and SAF is the most effective short-term measure in achieving this and our transition as an industry towards sustainable aviation. We want to make sustainable aviation fuel possible on a larger scale which will allow more travelers to reduce their carbon footprint in the future. We are happy that the number of travelers who care about their carbon footprint and want to reduce it is increasing rapidly."

"We are happy that the number of travelers who care about their carbon footprint and want to reduce it is increasing rapidly."

The airport is taking additional steps to address carbon emissions, including investing in 100% renewable energy to power its terminal and buildings, on-site solar power generation, and stringent sustainability requirements for airport vehicles. Rotterdam The Hague has compensated for residual emissions with CDM Gold Standard credits which will provide clean sustainable electricity to the local grid in rural India.

"People don’t want a complicated purchasing process which is why we’ve developed a solution where customers can reduce their carbon footprints with just a few clicks."

Speaking on the work with Rotterdam The Hague, Andreas Slettvoll, Founder and CEO of CHOOOSE said: “Rotterdam was the first airport in the Netherlands to work with Fly on SAF, which we were thrilled about. People don’t want a complicated purchasing process which is why we’ve developed a solution where customers can reduce their carbon footprint with just a few clicks. This is an important step to drive the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and encourage people to consider meaningful carbon programs. At CHOOOSE, we’ve made it our mission to support airlines, airports, and travel companies in their desire to become more environmentally friendly and to help their customers travel more responsibly. We look forward to continuing to support the industry with our technology.”

For other airports considering how to amplify their sustainability efforts, partnering with climate tech companies like CHOOOSE can provide customizable platforms that streamline opportunities for travelers and stakeholders alike to support meaningful climate solutions. CHOOOSE offers tools such as an embeddable carbon app, which is seamlessly integrated onto a website or a white-labeled landing page configured to specific branding requirements.

CHOOOSE also handles all services related to sourcing and managing the support of climate solutions, from screening and diligence to portfolio management, marketing implementation guidance, and more.

Learn more about Rotterdam The Hague and their Fly on SAF climate program here.

Are you an airline looking to build a climate program featuring sustainable aviation fuel? Contact us today.