Vivo Energy Maroc supplies sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time on a flight between Morocco and Europe, in partnership with Royal Air Maroc.
Vivo Energy Maroc and Royal Air Maroc have launched the first flight connecting Morocco and Europe that is carbon neutral and fuelled with sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels). This is the Marrakech-Paris flight, operated by the Moroccan airline on Thursday, 20 February 2025. This initiative underscores the commitment of both companies to more sustainable aviation in Morocco, while contributing to more responsible tourism, as the Kingdom has become the preferred tourist destination in Africa.
This major breakthrough is the result of a strategic partnership between Vivo Energy Maroc and Royal Air Maroc, highlighting their shared ambition to accelerate the energy transition of air transport. The AT740 flight from Marrakech to Paris-Orly reinforces Morocco’s position as a pioneer in the use of sustainable fuels in Africa. This proactive approach is all the more relevant as European regulations have required a minimum of 2% SAF for refuelling carried out in Europe since 2025.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 737 NG aircraft carrying 151 passengers. The aircraft took off from Marrakech Menara Airport at 16:20 for a three-hour flight to Paris-Orly Airport.
“This delivery of SAF represents a major step forward in our commitment to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. As one of the main players in fuel distribution in Morocco, we are proud to actively contribute to the country’s energy transition,” says Matthias de Larminat, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Maroc.
“This joint initiative between Royal Air Maroc and Vivo Energy Maroc aims to demonstrate our concrete commitment to more responsible aviation and a reduced carbon impact. Furthermore, the use of SAF fuel on this Marrakech-Paris flight is a first between Morocco and Europe,” emphasises Hamid ADDOU, Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc.
As part of this operation, Vivo Energy Maroc supplied a blend combining a renewable synthetic component with conventional fuel. This optimal composition enables a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, cutting 10 tonnes of CO₂ per volume. The use of SAF reduced approximately one third of the total emissions from this flight.
Vivo Energy’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) used in this operation is produced from renewable raw materials such as biomass, waste oils, or municipal waste. Its use reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 80% over the entire life cycle compared to conventional fuel. SAF has the major advantage of being directly usable in existing aircraft engines without technical modifications, making it an immediately deployable solution for decarbonising air transport.
This initiative is part of Vivo Energy Maroc’s broader sustainable development strategy, which aims to support its customers and partners in their energy transition. The company continues to invest in innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the transport sector in Morocco, confirming its leading role in the transition to more sustainable mobility.
Labelled CSR by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Vivo Energy Maroc reaffirms its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly development. The company actively supports educational and awareness-raising initiatives while carrying out concrete actions in favour of sustainability and environmental protection.
Royal Air Maroc, for its part, is implementing numerous initiatives in favour of sustainable development. These include the production of electricity from photovoltaic panels, the reduction of energy consumption in its facilities, and the sorting and recovery of waste. These efforts have enabled the national airline to obtain numerous certifications and labels, the most recent of which is the CSR label awarded by the CGEM.
With this flight, Vivo Energy Maroc and Royal Air Maroc reaffirm their role as pioneers in the decarbonisation of air transport, in line with international objectives to combat climate change.
