Air Canada and Airbus Invest €13.7M in Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Canada
On July 20, 2026, Air Canada and Airbus announced the creation of a co-investment platform with approximately €13.7M aimed at supporting the development of a commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Canada. This joint initiative seeks to expedite a Canadian SAF project towards a final investment decision, leveraging collaboration with federal and provincial governments.
A Joint Financing Platform Focused on Canadian SAF
Air Canada and Airbus have formalized their intention to establish a sustainable development co-investment platform, fueled by a joint investment of approximately €13.7M (US$10M). The platform aims to support the emergence of a commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel industry in Canada. Both companies prioritize accelerating a jointly agreed Canadian SAF project towards a final investment decision, emphasizing that this investment could act as a catalyst for the entire Canadian SAF ecosystem, provided that a supportive public policy framework is established.
Airbus Commits to Five Years in Air Canada's Leave Less Travel Program
In addition to the investment platform, the initiative introduces a mechanism allowing partner companies to stimulate demand for SAF in Canada through Air Canada's Leave Less Travel Program. Airbus has signed a five-year agreement under this framework. For its first allocation, Airbus will purchase verified environmental attributes associated with over 60,000 liters of SAF. Air Canada will monitor the greenhouse gas emissions generated by Airbus's business travel and retire the corresponding environmental attributes on behalf of the company. This approach will enable Airbus to reduce the carbon footprint over the entire lifecycle associated with its employees' business travel.
Canadian Economic Potential Estimated at $32 Billion by 2040
A macroeconomic study conducted by Airbus and ICF reveals the economic potential of Canadian SAF production. According to this analysis, increasing domestic SAF production to 40% of the national aviation fuel demand by 2040 could add $32 billion to the Canadian GDP and create 140,000 jobs in agricultural, forestry, and urban areas. Air Canada and Airbus reaffirm their support for the climate ambition set by IATA, ATAG, and ICAO to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with SAF being a central element of this trajectory. The two companies continue their constructive collaboration with government partners and their advocacy work alongside the Canadian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (C-SAF).
