OMV Petrom to supply Romania’s national airline with sustainable aviation fuel

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, and TAROM, Romania’s national airline, announced Nov. 7 the signing of a contract for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a first for Romanian aviation.  

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, OMV Petrom will supply TAROM with SAF at four airports in Romania, in compliance with the requirements of the RefuelEU aviation regulation: Henri Coandă International Airport Bucharest, Avram Iancu International Airport Cluj, Traian Vuia International Airport Timișoara and Iași International Airport. 

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with TAROM, a longstanding relationship between two significant Romanian companies,” said Radu Căprău, a member of the OMV Petrom executive board responsible for refining and marketing. “This strengthens our business ties and underscores our commitment to sustainable transport. OMV Petrom is committed to applying European standards and achieving targets for a more sustainable future. As part of Strategy 2030, we plan the largest investment in the decarbonization of transportation in Romania, over 1 billion euros (USD$1.066 billion), including through the development of renewable fuels. This year, we took the final investment decision to build, at the Petrobrazi refinery, a production capacity of 250 kilotons per year of [HVO] and SAF, which is expected to enter production in 2028.”  

TAROM, Romania’s national airline, becomes one of the first airlines in the region to align with European sustainability standards, thus making a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions in aviation.  

The company continues its sustainable transformation efforts, having achieved first place for the lowest CO2 emissions in medium-haul flights in 2022 and 2023 at the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge, organized by the SkyTeam Alliance. 

“We are at a point when sustainability is becoming a central factor for the entire aviation industry, with the requirements for using SAF coming into effect in 2025,” said Costin Iordache, the general director of TAROM. “We are pleased to be among the leading companies in this initiative, with the support of OMV Petrom. Accelerating the use of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet the environmental targets set for 2030, and the introduction of SAF for the TAROM fleet represents our firm commitment to adhering to European objectives.”  

SAF, a fuel produced from renewable raw materials, reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by over 80 percent throughout its entire lifecycle compared to conventional kerosene. 

As part of the European Union’s Fit for 55 initiative, the RefuelEU aviation regulation introduces the requirement to use SAF at a rate of 2 percent starting 2025, with a gradual increase to 70 percent by 2050 (6 percent in 2030).  

It also mandates fuel suppliers to provide SAF at airports within the European Union.  

This regulation, applicable to all member states, aims to support the transition to low-emission aviation and encourages the use of SAF as the main element for decarbonizing the aviation sector.