Cepsa and Vueling, a member of the IAG group, signed a new agreement today aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of air travel through the research and production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). The joint push to develop SAFs reflects a shared priority for both companies: shrinking the carbon footprint of air transport and contributing to climate action and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
These fuels will be produced from circular, non-competition with food feedstocks, such as used cooking oils, animal by-products for non-food uses, and biodegradable waste from various industries. This approach can significantly cut aircraft emissions, with reductions projected up to 80% compared with conventional kerosene.
The alliance also explores additional energy pathways, including green hydrogen and the electrification of Vueling’s ground support fleets—vehicles used for handling, fueling, baggage loading, and other services around the aircraft.
During the signing, Carlos Barrasa, Director of Commercial and Clean Energies at Cepsa, emphasized the importance of sustainable collaboration. He noted that partnering with customers who share the commitment to climate action and sustainable mobility is a meaningful step forward.
Vueling’s chief executive Marco Sansavini highlighted the airline’s ongoing environmental commitment. As part of IAG, the group pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions through the Flight Path Net Zero program announced in October 2019. The collaboration with Cepsa reinforces the joint effort needed to identify viable, sustainable solutions for air transport, a sector vital to Spain where a large share of tourism relies on air travel.
The agreement aligns with the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package, including the RefuelEU Aviation initiative, which aims to boost aviation biofuels across the European Union: targeted shares of 2% in 2025, 5% in 2030, and 63% in 2050. It also supports several Sustainable Development Goals from the 2030 Agenda, including SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 on sustainable economic growth and decent work, SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production, and SDG 13 on climate action.
This new alliance strengthens Cepsa’s role as a leading aviation fuel producer in Spain and Portugal and supports its ambition to become a benchmark in the clean energy sector. Under its Positive Motion strategy, the company is building an ecosystem to accelerate decarbonisation across industrial customers, air and sea transport, and its own operations, focusing on green molecules such as renewable hydrogen and biofuels. Cepsa aims to lead biofuel production in the Iberian Peninsula with an annual target of 2.5 million tons by 2030, including an emphasis on sustainable aviation fuel production of about 800,000 tons per year.
The company has set an ambitious emissions roadmap as part of its leadership in the sector. It plans to cut CO2 emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 55% by 2030 versus 2019 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. For Scope 3, the carbon intensity of its products is targeted to fall between 15% and 20%. Beyond net zero, Cepsa aims to create positive regional impact by helping customers and other stakeholders move in the right direction.
Vueling frames its participation in the alliance within its sustainability program, Flightpath Net Zero, which targets net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Within IAG, the airline shares a vision of leading global aviation sustainability. Notably, IAG became the first European airline group to commit to powering 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030.
Vueling operates 25 Airbus A320neo aircraft, a next‑generation model that reduces CO2 emissions by about 18% compared with older A320ceo variants. Since 2013, the carrier has adopted wingtip devices on 78% of its fleet, reducing emissions by approximately 4%. The airline is also pursuing measures to further cut its carbon footprint, such as lightening aircraft components and digitizing maintenance documentation. Since 2019 these efforts have contributed to a reduction of fuel consumption by over 13,000 tons annually, equating to roughly 40,000 tons of CO2 avoided each year.