French airports group ADP has launched a new alliance with Dassault Aviation to boost efforts to decarbonize operations at Paris Le Bourget Airport. Under plans announced on Thursday, the partners will jointly support business aircraft operators in making more use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), introduce electric-powered ground support equipment, and invest in geothermal power for airport buildings and hangars.
Dassault Falcon Service, which provides ground handling as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul support at Le Bourget, is involved in the effort. The ADP-led initiative is not limited to the Falcon family of business jets produced by the French manufacturer.
“Decarbonizing aviation will begin with small aircraft, and will only be possible with the full involvement of the airport ecosystem,” said ADP chairman and CEO Augustin de Romanet. “As infrastructure managers, we have a responsibility to accelerate, integrate, and encourage the use of new technologies that make the environmental transition possible.”
According to ADP, Le Bourget is the first European airport to ensure that SAF is permanently available. It said that 3.2 million liters of SAF were purchased by operators at the site last year.
Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Éric Trappier called for more effort to ensure that SAF blends above 30 percent are available to operators. He said all Falcon jets can now fly with a 50 percent SAF blend.