Air France–KLM Signs Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Agreement in Greece with Aspida Travel

Chara Papalambrou, Key Account Manager Air France-KLM; Dimitris Matthaios, Managing Director Aspida Travel; Milli Zafeiratou, Marketing Manager Aspida Travel; Yiannis Pantazopoulos, Regional Manager Air France-KLM; and Maria Mavrikaki, Marketing Manager Greece & Cyprus.

Aspida Travel has become the first travel agency in Greece to join the Corporate Program of Air France–KLM for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), increasing the number of the airline group’s contracts worldwide.

The Corporate Program of Air France-KLM for SAF aims for the creation of a sustainable aviation fuel industry that guarantees the future of increasingly eco-responsible air transport.

Under the agreement, signed in Athens on Thursday, Aspida Travel will play an active role in reducing CO₂ emissions by supporting the efforts and actions of the Air France-KLM Group and contributing to the ecological transition of air transport globally.

Following the signing of the agreement, Air France-KLM Regional Manager Yiannis Pantazopoulos highlighted that both Air France and KLM have been working for many years to reduce their environmental impact. Their first actions were to work together with all stakeholders and policymakers to achieve the climate objective to reach zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

“One of our most important initiatives, however, is the effort to raise awareness within our industry, by stimulating airlines, travel agencies and corporate companies alike, that control a large percentage of air travel worldwide,” Pantazopoulos said.

Launched in 2021, Air France-KLM’s innovative SAF corporate program enables corporate clients to play an active role after an estimate of the CO₂ emissions associated with their travel, and determine an annual contribution they wish to devote to the program. All contributions are then invested in the sourcing and consuming of SAF.

“We are very excited to have the support of Aspida Travel, an important partner and pioneer in this effort, coming from the travel agencies industry and based in Greece. I hope that this collaboration will inspire even more travel agencies in our country to participate, tracing a more sustainable journey for the sector,” he added.

On his part, Aspida Travel Managing Director Dimitris Matthaios underlined the importance of sustainable fuel production in the airline industry.

“The efforts of Air France–KLM Group prove that if the airline and travel industries work together, we will manage to make our activities more sustainable for the environment and much sooner,” Matthaios said.

He went on to add that Aspida Travel is constantly in a development phase and have developed its activities in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) the recent years.

“We try to contribute to the protection of the environment and we believe that this important agreement we signed with such a strategic partner as the Air France-KLM group will significantly enhance this effort,” Mattheos added.

SAFs: Fundamental levers for the reduction of CO₂ emissions

For many years, Air France and KLM have been involved in research and development programs in the field of alternative fuels. In 2011, the two airlines were among the first to operate commercial flights, demonstrating a possible alternative to fossil fuels, and have invested in both research and partnerships with main aim to increase their use and to reduce carbon emissions.

SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) can be incorporated into jet fuel without any engine modifications. Their use can reduce emissions by more than 85 percent compared to conventional fuel.

According to Air France-KLM, the main challenge today is the development of a sustainable industry to which Air France and KLM’s corporate customers will be able to make a concrete contribution through the Group’s Corporate Program for SAF.