Tüpraş and Turkish Airlines (THY) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding that will contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, in line with Turkey’s carbon neutrality goals. Under this collaboration, Tüpraş will begin producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its İzmir Refinery to support THY’s operations. This marks THY’s first domestic SAF supply partnership.
Tüpraş on Track to Become a Leader in SAF Production
As part of its “Energy for the Future” strategic transformation plan announced in 2021, Tüpraş aims to become Turkey’s leading SAF producer. The company plans to launch production at its İzmir Refinery in 2026 using existing infrastructure, and is also preparing to finalise investment decisions by the end of the year for a new unit with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes.
The SAF to be produced will be derived from plant- and animal-based waste and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 87% compared to conventional jet fuels. It will also be certified under internationally recognised processes in alignment with ICAO’s CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).
Yelmenoğlu: “We Are Advancing Toward Becoming Turkey’s SAF Hub”
Tüpraş General Manager İbrahim Yelmenoğlu commented on the agreement:
“This cooperation with Turkish Airlines goes beyond SAF supply—it represents a key step in our vision of leading Turkey into a low-carbon future. We are continuing our preparations to begin production at our İzmir Refinery. In line with our goal of becoming a carbon-neutral energy company by 2050, we are investing in many areas, from sustainable refining to green hydrogen.”
Ekşi: “Domestic Production Is Critical in Aviation Decarbonisation”
THY CEO Bilal Ekşi emphasised that sustainability is as much a priority as operational excellence for Turkish Airlines:
“In addition to modernising our fleet, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our flights through the use of SAF. This domestic SAF supply agreement with Tüpraş is not only environmentally significant, but also strategically important in reducing Turkey’s dependence on foreign aviation fuel. We will continue to enhance our environmental performance across all areas as we work toward our 2050 carbon neutrality target.”
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