Iberia Launches the SAF Circle with Four Major Corporations to Contribute to the Use of SAF.

(Iberia Airlines) • Iberia launches the Círculo SAF community, a corporate program aimed at promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). It allows its customers to contribute to reducing some of the Scope 3 emissions generated by corporate travel and cargo transport with Iberia, promoting the use and development of sustainable aviation fuels.

Iberia today (October 14, 2025) presented the SAF Circle , an initiative aimed at promoting collaboration among various stakeholders to progressively increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The goal is to enable companies from different sectors to participate in this collective effort and associate the use of SAF with part of the emissions derived from their business travel and freight transport (Scope 3 emissions). These refer to emissions from business travel and freight transport.

The founding members of this project are four companies committed to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint: Amadeus, BBVA, Repsol, and Telefónica . These four corporations contribute to reducing some of the emissions generated by certain corporate trips and cargo flights operated by Iberia by promoting the use of SAFs on these flights. This represents a global emissions reduction in the aviation sector, with an estimated reduction of between 10 and 30% in Scope 3 emissions from companies operating with Iberia .

SAF Circle members will enjoy benefits such as corporate rewards, which grant access to upgrades to Iberia's corporate loyalty program. The SAF Circle has three different tiers, so companies of all sizes can join. Companies participating in the alliance will be certified under the SAF used in the airline's travel. This SAF is certified according to the sustainability criteria defined by the European Renewable Energy Directive.

The presentation was made by María Jesús López Solás, Commercial Director, Network Development and Alliances at Iberia, and Diego Fernández, Director of Strategy, Transformation and Sustainability at Iberia . “We are very proud that these four major companies are joining Iberia to contribute to decarbonization through the use of SAF. We share a commitment to gradual progress toward decarbonization, and we can only achieve this goal if we work together,” said Diego Fernández.

“A fundamental element of Amadeus' sustainability strategy is leveraging our knowledge and experience in the technology and travel sectors, as well as our indirect contact with millions of travelers daily, to provide sustainability information and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable travel,” said Lucas Bobes, Group Environmental Officer at Amadeus .

Leonardo Pereyra, Head of Direct Impact at BBVA's Sustainability Area, mentions that "being part of alliances like the SAF Circle is important for promoting the energy transition and a more sustainable future. Furthermore, it allows us to take a further step in managing our carbon footprint while supporting the aviation sector's decarbonization efforts. We have included this sector in our 2023 decarbonization goals, and one that requires both the development of technologies and the unity of companies and governments to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels."

Carlos Suárez, B2B and Commercial Aviation Director at Repsol : "The launch of the SAF Iberia Circle is a significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint in the aviation sector. At Repsol, we are very pleased to be part of this initiative that promotes the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Our renewable fuel production plant in Cartagena is a clear example of our commitment to innovation and sustainability. This plant, one of the most advanced in Europe, allows us to produce SAF, thus contributing to the decarbonization of air transport. With a production capacity of 250,000 tons per year, we are prepared to meet the growing demand for sustainable fuels in the national and international markets. Ultimately, Repsol will continue to collaborate with strategic partners such as Iberia to promote the use of SAF and reduce CO₂ emissions."

“Fulfilling our commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, including across the value chain, requires more sustainable habits on a wide variety of fronts, including corporate travel. Responsible digitalization represents a transformation in both large processes and small actions. Although corporate travel only represents 2% of our global indirect CO₂ emissions (Scope 3), every ton counts. Joining Círculo SAF is also a way to contribute to our country's energy transition. This initiative combines two essential ingredients to drive real change: innovation and collaboration,” stated Maya Ormazabal, Director of Environment and Human Rights at Telefónica.

Sustainable aviation fuel (or SAF) is a type of fuel that can be obtained from agricultural or forestry waste in its biological form (bioSAF), or from renewable hydrogen and CO₂ captured from the air (eSAF or synthetic SAF), or from industrial processes (recycled carbon fuels). Compared to traditional kerosene, SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 80% over its life cycle, according to the European Union Agency for Aviation Safety (EASA).

In the case of bioSAF, which is obtained from plant waste, it also promotes the energy transition and the circular economy. The waste used as raw material for its production currently largely ends up in landfills or is disposed of on farms. A developed SAF industry would mean better management of this waste and its utilization as a resource.

The great advantage of SAF is that it can be used without making any changes to either aircraft engines or airport infrastructure. Therefore, it is currently a viable alternative for reducing part of the aviation sector's emissions, in conjunction with the fleet renewal effort Iberia has also made in recent years.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions that come from supply chain activities outside the company's direct control. They include, among others, raw material production, transportation, distribution, business travel, and staff travel. These types of emissions are critical for all companies, as corporate travel and freight transportation are inherent to their activities, especially for large corporations.

(*) SAF means “Sustainable Aviation Fuel” as defined in Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on a level playing field for sustainable air transport. Sustainable aviation fuels are therefore:

● synthetic aviation fuels: aviation fuels that are ‘renewable fuels of non-biological origin’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (Article 2), which meet the life-cycle emission reduction threshold referred to in Article 29a(1) of that Directive and are certified in accordance with Article 30 of that Directive.

● recycled carbon aviation fuels: aviation fuels that are ‘recycled carbon fuels’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001, which meet the lifecycle emissions reduction threshold referred to in Article 29a(2) of that Directive and are certified in accordance with Article 30 of that Directive. READ MORE