ORLEN begins SAF sales at Polish airports for aviation decarbonization

Warsaw, Kraków, and Katowice now offer sustainable aviation fuel as part of national climate goals and EU compliance.

Polish energy company ORLEN has launched commercial sales of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at three major airports in Poland: Warsaw Chopin, Kraków, and Katowice. 

The move marks a significant step toward decarbonizing the country’s aviation sector and aligns with both national climate strategies and the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. By making SAF available, ORLEN helps Polish airports and airlines meet upcoming regulatory obligations.

"The inclusion of SAF in our aviation fuel portfolio marks another step in implementing our 2035 strategy. We are expanding our product portfolio while responding to the need to decarbonise operations on both the supply and demand side," said Ireneusz Sitarski, Vice President of the ORLEN Management Board,  Wholesale and Logistics. 

Under the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, sustainable aviation fuel must represent at least 2% of total jet fuel sales by 2025, rising to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. The regulation applies to EU airports that handled more than 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tonnes of cargo in the previous year.

While ORLEN currently imports SAF components, the company is investing in domestic production capacity. A new hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) facility under construction at its Płock refinery will eventually produce SAF from waste oils.

In parallel, ORLEN is advancing other clean aviation initiatives, including the planned installation of a hydrogen refueling station at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Part of the HySPARK project, the station will serve zero-emission ground support vehicles, further reducing airport-related emissions.