Pilatus Aircraft and European sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology developer Synhelion have launched a strategic partnership, with the Swiss airframer becoming a shareholder, reinforcing its commitment to the reduction of fossil-based fuels.
Synhelion—which has pioneered a process to use solar power to produce SAF—plans to begin construction next year in Spain on its first commercial-scale plant. Pilatus expects to use this “solar fuel” in its own fleet of PC-24 light jets and PC-12 turboprop singles before offering the fuel to its customers.
“We are convinced of the value of solar fuel technology. These fuels are the best way to defossilize air travel as quickly as possible,” said Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher. “We’re delighted to play a pioneering role together with Synhelion, and make an important contribution to sustainability in the aviation sector.”
Philipp Furler, Synhelion’s co-CEO and co-founder, added, “Over the next few years, we will focus fully on scaling our fuels worldwide. Together, we aim to roll out sustainable solar fuels to the entire Pilatus customer fleet within the next 10 years.”