Accelerating the decarbonisation of air transport while supporting a cutting-edge industrial sector: Emmanuel Macron is committed to greening a key sector for the French economy, with Airbus, Dassault, Safran and Thales leading the way on the industrial side, and Air France and ADP on the business travel side. " We have the means to become champions of the ultra sober aircraft" said the French head of state during his Friday morning visit to the Safran plant in Villaroche, Seine-et-Marne.
A few days before the opening of the Paris Air Show, where the President of the French Republic is expected on Monday, Emmanuel Macron concluded a week devoted to the France's sovereignty by turning his attention to the world of aviation. Firstly, by hosting a dinner at the Elysée Palace on Thursday evening for the main players in the aeronautics and aviation sector. This was undoubtedly an opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to give a sympathetic ear to professionals who have been dismayed by the possible increase in taxes on premium tickets and business aviation in order to finance the modernisation of its competitor, rail transport.
But the Head of State also, and above all, undertook to supporting the sector's energy transition during his visit to the Safran plant. According to the Elysée, this site illustrates "the importance of the Safran group's expertise in the field of aerospace. one of the answers to decarbonising the industry "This will be achieved through the production of more fuel-efficient engines capable of incorporating more sustainable aviation fuels, such as the LEAP engine today and the Rise engine tomorrow. " The battle for decarbonisation must be won through innovationsaid Emmanuel Macron in his speech. Your sector is a sector of the future, a strong sector that exports all over the world. France will continue to be a great aerospace nation in the future. We believe in it, we're going to invest and we're going to redouble our efforts." .
To bring about this "green" aircraft, so essential to the future of air transport, and to develop the new generation of aircraft so important to the French and European economy in the face of competition from the United States and China, the French government is going to devote 300 million euros per year from 2024This represents a threefold increase on the previous period. According to the Head of State, this represents a threefold increase in investment compared with the previous period, to accelerate the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft using new composite materials and new aircraft and engine architectures.
While this aid is aimed at the major aerospace groups and their network of SME subcontractors, the government will also be stepping up its support for emerging players working on new technologies. electric aircraft and powered by hydrogen such as Elixir Aircraft and Beyond Aero. " We're big believersemphasised Emmanuel Macron. We need go faster and stronger" . As part of the France 2030 investment plan, €200 million will be earmarked for all these innovative start-ups.
But the Head of State also came to respond to the great expectations of the airlines: large-scale production of sustainable jet fuelAlso known as SAF, Sustainable Air Fuel. While the French President is inviting the sector to participate in efforts to reduce its emissions, it still needs to be given the means to do so, given that the production of biofuels, the only sustainable solution currently available, is still infinitesimal compared to the needs of airlines. Airlines are faced with two concerns: have enough SAF to incorporate to meet their obligations - i.e. the 6% of SAF by 2030 set by the European Union, with the industry being even more ambitious with a target of 10% - and the continuing high price of this fuel given its limited production.
" To decarbonise even faster, we need to invest in SAF. It's a global battle" said the President of the French Republic, who sees this sustainable fuel as "a source of energy for the future". a powerful lever for decarbonisation" It also creates jobs by giving certain sites an industrial future, and recycles waste in the spirit of the circular economy.
While the Head of State did not announce any tax incentives, as the United States has done to reduce the additional cost of SAF for American companies, he did commit to develop a production sector in France. " To reach the European target of 6% of incorporation, we need to produce 500,000 tonnes of sustainable fuel. We have secured this production capacity thanks to Engie and TotalEnergies, who have begun transforming sites into sustainable fuel." said the Head of State. Alongside these major players, the government is also going to invest in the emergence of this sector by putting €200 million on the table. In particular, to support the development of the BioTJet plant that Elyse Energy is to build in the Lacq Basin, near Pau. Emmanuel Macron has assured us: " We'll be there in 2027-2030" .
