Volotea, the airline connecting small and mid-sized European cities, and ECO2FLY—a project led by Holcim, ECO2FLY Power and Exolum to develop a value chain to produce synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) using CO2 captured from industrial sources—have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the future supply of eSAF. The agreement reinforces both organizations’ commitment to decarbonizing air transport and supporting the development of a European value chain for sustainable fuels.

The partnership supports the objectives of the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which aims to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels and reduce the environmental footprint of air transport, while reinforcing Volotea’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The regulation requires the progressive uptake of SAF for flights departing from airports in the European Union: 2% between 2025 and 2030; 6% between 2030 and 2035, including 1.2% eSAF; and up to 70% by 2050.

This joint initiative envisages a ten-year supply period starting with the commercial operation of the ECO2FLY plant, expected in 2032. Supply volumes will be ramped up progressively, reaching 6.5 million liters in 2032, between 12 and 19 million liters in 2033 and 2034, and 32 million liters from 2035.

Volotea has already made significant progress in integrating sustainable aviation fuels into its operations. In 2025, the airline used more than 7 million liters of SAF across its network, representing over 2% of its total fuel consumption, more than three times the estimated aviation industry average for that year, which stood at around 0.6% of total jet fuel demand. The SAF used by Volotea delivers lifecycle CO₂ emissions reductions of around 90% compared with conventional fossil jet fuel.

eSAF (electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a synthetic aviation fuel produced from renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂ that can reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by more than 75% compared with conventional fossil kerosene. Unlike other sustainable aviation fuels based on biogenic feedstocks, eSAF uses renewable electricity, water and captured CO₂ as its main inputs, reducing reliance on limited or imported feedstocks. This makes eSAF a solution with strong long-term scalability potential and a strategic lever for strengthening European energy independence. In addition, it can be used with existing aircraft and airport fueling infrastructure, facilitating its rapid adoption across the aviation sector.

As for ECO2FLY, the project is designed to establish an integrated value chain for the production of eSAF in Spain. The process begins with the capture of CO₂ generated during cement manufacturing, which is then combined with renewable hydrogen to produce eSAF, together with the associated logistics required for its distribution. By bringing together industrial, energy and logistics capabilities, the project connects industrial decarbonization with the decarbonization of air transport while supporting the development of a national and European value chain for sustainable aviation fuels.

Gloria Carreras, ESG Director at Volotea, said: “eSAF will be essential to achieving the long-term decarbonization of aviation, but its development requires accelerating investment and increasing production capacity in Europe. This agreement with ECO2FLY reflects Volotea’s commitment to supporting strategic projects that help ensure the future availability of eSAF while strengthening Europe’s energy independence.”

Javier Esteban, Director of the ECO2FLY project, added: “Signing this memorandum with an airline such as Volotea validates our eSAF production model and represents a decisive step towards scaling up the supply of synthetic aviation fuels in the Spanish and European markets. By bringing together the complementary industrial, energy and logistics capabilities of Holcim, ECO2FLY Power and Exolum, ECO2FLY is helping produce in Europe the fuels our aviation sector needs. Beyond reducing emissions, the project will help decrease dependence on imported fossil-based jet fuel while strengthening the European Union’s strategic autonomy and energy independence, in line with the objectives of REPowerEU.”