Neste and Travel Organization Sunweb Group Announce Partnership to Reduce Sunweb Customers’ Flight Emissions with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(Neste) Sunweb Group, one of the leading European travel organizations, and Neste announce today that they have entered into a new partnership based on which Sunweb Group purchases 306 tons (385,000 liters) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ (SAF) from Neste to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from Sunweb flights. The SAF volume purchased provides an emission reduction equaling the amount of GHG emissions from all Sunweb flights departing in 2022. Sunweb does not own any aircraft itself but uses commercial airlines for air travel to various holiday destinations.

The partnership follows Sunweb’s earlier announced decision to stop CO₂ compensation; instead, the company invests in reducing CO₂ emissions of its organized travel with Neste’s SAF that will be used by Sunweb’s partner airlines. This makes Sunweb the first travel organization without its own aircraft to purchase SAF directly to reduce its climate impact.

SAF is currently the most sustainable alternative to fossil jet fuel. Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel. By purchasing SAF, organizations like Sunweb can directly reduce the emissions from air travel and credibly report emissions reduction towards their sustainability commitments and Science Based Targets.

“While this initial SAF purchase is currently a small amount, it is an important step towards making flying more sustainable. SAF is the most effective way to reduce our carbon footprint. Currently, less than 0.1% of all jet fuel worldwide is SAF. To reduce emissions from flying, the amount of SAF used must be increased. With the new investment, we will ensure all 1 million Sunweb Group customers will be flying with reduced emissions thanks to the purchased volume of SAF that equals 0.5% of all jet fuel used on all our flights in 2022. In doing so, we want to show that sustainability is everyone's responsibility", says Chris Oskam, Head of Sustainability at Sunweb Group.

“Neste is committed to helping the aviation industry become more sustainable, and working together with innovative and forward thinking partners who share our ambitions is key to success. As one of the largest travel organizations in Europe, Sunweb Group is taking on the responsibility to make their offering more sustainable by buying SAF and enabling lower-emission flights for their clientele. This is a first of its kind collaboration, and we hope their example will be inspiring for other forward-thinking organizations. The world needs these kinds of pioneers to lead the way towards a more sustainable future,” says Jason Reichow, Vice President, Business Development, Renewable Aviation at Neste.

Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a drop-in fuel that is already available today and can be used with existing aircraft engines and airport fuel infrastructure, requiring no new investment into these. It is produced from 100% sustainably-sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Neste will have an annual SAF production capacity of 1.5 million tons (1.875 billion liters) by the end of 2023, ready to support the aviation and travel industry in Europe and globally.

*) When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion. Read more: neste.com

As one of the largest travel operators in Europe, Sunweb Group is the driving force behind brands across seven international markets - in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, France, UK, and Germany.

At Sunweb Group, our ambition is to become the leading digital holiday expert. We'll do this by continuing to develop distinctive digital brands that stand out and create personal and unique memories together with our partners. To achieve this, we're not afraid to do things differently, shaking up the market and setting new and bolder standards.

Sunweb and Eliza was here are the group's best-known brands. Sunweb leads the way in online package holidays for sun worshippers and winter sports enthusiasts alike. Eliza was here is focussed on small-scale trips to unique destinations for the inquisitive traveller.

With around 500 employees and more than 300 tour guides and area managers in local destinations, we're always there for our customers. And as an employer, Sunweb Group are proud of our unique attitude. We encourage our people to strive for both personal and professional growth and to make a meaningful impact every day.

This combination of our people-focussed ethos, centralised management and strong online business model has paid off with more than a million happy customers for Sunweb Group every year. Sunweb Group were acquired by Triton Fund V in February 2019, and we look forward to continuing to make travel a pleasure for millions more. READ MORE