DER Touristik and Lufthansa Group Expand Cooperation to Promote Sustainability in Tourism through Purchase of SAF

by André Orban (Aviation24.be) DER Touristik and Lufthansa Group have expanded their cooperation to promote sustainability in tourism. DER Touristik is the first major tour operator to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Lufthansa Group, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions from vacation trips. The SAF, made from biogenic residues such as used cooking oils, reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional kerosene.

DER Touristik will offer its guests climate-friendly air travel using SAF at no extra charge, with the tour operator covering the costs. They will present selected tours with improved carbon footprints in their upcoming DERTOUR Magalog titled “Conscious Travel.” The Magalog will include flights with a 20% SAF share, reducing individual flight-related CO2 emissions.

The strategic partnership also includes additional measures to raise awareness and educate vacationers and travel agency experts about SAF.

The Lufthansa Group aims to achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050 and plans to halve its net CO2 emissions by 2030. They prioritise fleet modernisation, SAF use, flight operations optimisation, and sustainable flight options for private and corporate customers.

SAF is blended with fossil aviation fuel, with a maximum blending ratio of 50% currently allowed, resulting in significant CO2 emission reductions compared to conventional kerosene. SAF made from biogenic residues can save about 80% of CO2 emissions. READ MORE

The Lufthansa Group has developed a particularly sustainable offer package for passengers traveling to this year's UN World Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai: From Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, they can take advantage of a special fare with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS and Brussels Airlines that includes 100 percent offsetting of flight-related CO₂ emissions via Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Other components include a free rebooking option and a bike rental voucher for one weeklong bicycle rental across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Business Class guests can also make use of an airport-hotel transfer in an e-limousine. The special offer is available in all booking classes and can be booked until December 10 at the following website:

The Lufthansa Group has set itself amitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. Already by 2030, the Lufthansa Group wants to halve its net CO₂ emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. The reduction goal for 2030 was validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in August 2022. The Lufthansa Group was the first airline group in Europe with a science-based CO₂ reduction target in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. For effective climate protection, the Lufthansa Group is focusing in particular on accelerated fleet modernization, the use of SAF, the continuous optimization of flight operations, and offers for its private travelers and corporate customers to make a flight or the transport of cargo more sustainable. In addition, the Lufthansa Group has been actively supporting global climate and weather research for many years.

Background on the use of SAF:
There is no refueling of individual flights with pure SAF. As a so-called "drop-in" fuel, SAF is compatible with fossil fuel and can be blended with it without any problems. Before being transported to the airport, SAF is mixed with fossil fuel (blending) and then fed into the airport infrastructure. The Lufthansa Group ensures that the amount of SAF required to offset individual CO₂ emissions is fed into the Lufthansa Group's operations within six months of purchase. READ MORE