MOL, Neste, Budapest Airport, RÜK and Wizz Air have started commercially testing its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chain.

The project supports broader efforts in the aviation industry to reduce CO2 emissions and aims to prepare the fuel supply system at the airport ahead of the EU SAF blending mandates, which will be introduced in 2025.

Wizz Air took off from Budapest Airport for the first time using a blend of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ supplied by MOL on 10 May.

The SAF is produced by Neste from used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

Csaba Zsótér, senior vice president of the MOL group's downstream fuels, said: "Our strategic goal is to kick-start Hungary’s circular economy and make our operations carbon neutral by 2050.

“We are constantly testing new technologies and developing our products to strengthen the region's security of supply with low-carbon fuels and accelerate the green transition. So far, we have mainly taken steps in road transport fuels.

“At the Danube Refinery, for example, we have been co-processing vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats with fossil components since 2021 to produce more sustainable diesel. We are now moving into a new area, working with our partners to gain experience in aviation fuels to make aviation more sustainable. I am confident that the first SAF shipment, which is now being launched as a commercial test, will be followed by many more.”

In the Danube Refinery, bio-based materials - vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats - have been processed together with fossil components during fuel production, in order to produce more sustainable diesel since 2021. ~

The recycling of waste is also supported. Since 2011, used cooking oil can be handed in at MOL filling stations.

Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air, said: “Today’s SAF test, which is ahead of the legislative mandates coming in 2025, demonstrates that industry collaboration is one of the most impactful ways to address the current climate challenge.

“While Wizz Air is already leading in sustainability with one of the world’s youngest aircraft fleets and highly efficient operations, the SAF initiative at Budapest Airport is a testament to our broader strategy, with alternative fuels playing a significant role. This marks further progress against our commitment to reduce our carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and shows we remain laser focused on technology and innovation.”