Avianca Cargo and The Queen’s Flowers have joined forces with Repsol to hit a new landmark, the first SAF Book & Claim operation of the three companies in South America using the RSB Book & Claim framework. The announcement comes as Avianca Cargo and The Queen’s Flowers celebrate their tenth commercial anniversary—an alliance that has supported over 10,000 flights, consolidating the partnership between the region’s leading air-cargo carrier and Colombia’s top flower exporter.
Both companies have joined forces to lead the initiative of the acquisition of CO₂ emissions reduction certificates through SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), under the “RSB Book and Claim” model, in alliance with Repsol. This collaboration covers a volume equivalent to that required to operate a Bogotá–Miami flight, the region’s iconic flower transport route.
The Book & Claim model allows airlines and their partners to contribute to decarbonization by acquiring the environmental attributes linked to sustainable fuel without relying on a physical supply chain. Book & Claim is one of the fundamental pillars in Colombia’s roadmap for implementing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), as it enables more scalable commercialization and logistics of these fuels—thereby reducing emissions associated with both cargo and passenger air services.
“With this initiative, we not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also demonstrate that it is possible to transform the floriculture sector through innovation and strategic alliances with our stakeholders. This action reflects our sustainable vision and reaffirms our commitment to a more responsible and resilient tomorrow,” said Ignacio Gómez, General Manager of The Queen’s Flowers.
Through this pilot project, Avianca Cargo acquires the environmental attributes associated with its Scope 1 emissions and offers its customers a solution that contributes to the reduction of Scope 3 emissions generated by its logistics chain—adding efforts to minimize environmental impact and support the decarbonization of both sectors.
It is important to mention that, to guarantee proper traceability and enable organizations to reliably and verifiably claim the GHG emissions reductions derived from the purchase and use of SAF under the Book & Claim model, the CO₂ reduction certificates used in this pilot were managed through the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) platform.
This project allows us to explore new solutions and learn from implementing the Book & Claim mechanism while fostering innovation in co-financing methods for emissions-reduction initiatives. “We firmly believe that the path to emissions reduction in the aviation sector must be built as a team, with collaborative initiatives throughout the supply chain. That is why we are delighted to develop this pilot project with one of our most important clients in the region’s flower industry. We will continue to deliver solutions that help us advance our daily work toward decarbonization,” said Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF can achieve up to an 80 percent reduction in lifecycle CO₂ emissions compared with conventional jet fuel. This renowned organization estimates that sustainable aviation fuel can contribute more than 65 percent of the emissions reductions needed for aviation to reach net-zero by 2050.
“For Repsol, this first SAF Book and Claim operation in South America—achieved in partnership with key market players—marks another milestone on our decarbonization journey and contributes to fulfilling Repsol’s commitment to become a Net Zero company by 2050,” said Luis Vásquez Madueño, Director of Communications and Institutional Relations.
