Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and the cleantech company Synhelion have entered into a long-term offtake agreement for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Beginning in 2027, the airline will purchase at least 200 tons of solar-derived jet fuel annually.
The agreement establishes SWISS as the first airline to sign a binding five-year contract with Synhelion, supporting the commercial scale-up of synthetic fuel production. Under the partnership, SWISS acts as a customer, investor, and strategic partner.
“The partnership with Synhelion is a significant step for SWISS on the path to decarbonising our flight operations,” said Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS.
“Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are a core element of our sustainability strategy. The offtake agreement with Synhelion sends a strong signal for innovation and responsibility in aviation.”
Creating synthetic solar fuel
In 2024, Synhelion inaugurated DAWN: calling the project ‘the world’s first industrial plant for the production of solar fuels’. The company creates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar diesel, and solar gasoline.
Synhelion’s solar fuel production process involves creating renewable synthetic crude oil, or “syncrude,” using solar heat energy and sustainable materials.
This syncrude is processed in existing refineries alongside fossil crude to produce certified Jet-A-1 fuel. The resulting fuel is compatible with current infrastructure and logistics chains, requiring no technical adjustments for delivery to airports.
Solar fuel can be produced and stored for when sunlight is unavailable, much like solar energy storage, giving the sustainable fuel an edge over fossil fuels.
“The fact that SWISS, a leading airline, has committed early on to adopt our fuels demonstrates confidence in the market readiness of our technology,” commented Philipp Furler, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Synhelion.
“This partnership is a milestone for the commercial market launch of our fuels – and sets a powerful example to other airlines worldwide.”
Logistics
The partnership also involves logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel, which will purchase a portion of the solar fuel from SWISS. The fuel will be used for air freight via Swiss WorldCargo to help cargo customers reduce their carbon footprints.
This long-term agreement follows an initial delivery in July 2025, when SWISS used Synhelion’s solar fuel in regular flight operations for the first time.
That fuel was produced at Synhelion’s DAWN plant and refined in northern Germany before entering the supply system at Hamburg Airport.
[Image credit: Synhelion]
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