MTU Maintenance starts using sustainable aviation fuels in its test cell with launch customer JetBlue Airways

MTU Maintenance partners with JetBlue Airways for the testing and data-gathering on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with the airline’s V2500 engines following on from shop visits in Hannover, Germany. Conducted in a controlled ground environment, test runs will initially be performed with a 10 percent SAF fuel blend and can be expanded to up to 50 percent, the current regulatory limit, if required. This SAF is sustainably derived from waste fats, oils, and greases and has up to an 80 percent lifecycle greenhouse gas emission reduction per gallon as compared to the conventional jet fuel it replaces.

“MTU Maintenance is the first MRO provider worldwide to be offering test runs with SAF,” says Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines. “We are excited to be doing our part in reducing carbon dioxide emissions at our sites and providing more sustainable MRO solutions for customers across the lifecycle. MTU is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and therefore aiming to become carbon neutral in operations across our German production facilities.” The company began testing with the V2500 engines in November 2021 and looks to expand this to other engine types, such as the popular CFM56-7B and GE90 engines in due course. “SAF is a key initiative in reducing the climate impact of the aviation industry and increased and reliable supply will be incremental to this. At MTU, we are implementing SAF early and promoting its usage to and for our customers.”

“We are delighted to be MTU Maintenance’s launch customer in this pioneering and sustainable initiative,” says Sara Bogdan, JetBlue Director of Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance.“Our goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and implementing sustainable initiatives along the supply chain, and gathering the necessary data to ensure these initiatives are safe, practical, and meaningful, is a key part of this work.” JetBlue currently has an exclusive thirteen year contract with MTU Maintenance for its V2500 pre-select fleet.

MTU Maintenance is the largest independent MRO provider worldwide, with over 30 engine types in its portfolio and operating a global MRO network. It is part of MTU Aero Engines, which has defined the overall sustainability goals for the group. MTU’s aspirations as a sustainable industrial company include responsible and environmentally friendly procurement and a safe and attractive working environment. Overall, its activities cover six fields of action: product, manufacturing and maintenance, corporate governance, employees, society, and procurement practices. Alongside its initiatives to reduce the climate footprint of its sites, MTU is working on revolutionary propulsion concepts targeting climate neutral aviation in 2050.