SWISS uses solar fuel from Synhelion for the first time

SWISS is the world's first airline to integrate solar fuel into its flight operations, marking a milestone for sustainable aviation

05.01.2026

Source: Swiss International Air Lines AG

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has become the world's first airline to introduce solar fuel from Swiss cleantech company Synhelion into its regular flight operations.

A 190-liter barrel of synthetic crude oil from Synhelion's DAWN production facility was processed into certified Jet A-1 fuel at a northern German refinery and fed into the system via Hamburg Airport.

The quantity covers around seven percent of the fuel requirements of a flight between Hamburg and Zurich - a symbolic but significant step. SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger emphasizes: "For the first time, we are using solar fuel in civil aviation and thus advancing a key technology for sustainable aviation." Synhelion Co-CEO Philipp Furler adds that this is a concrete step towards the global scaling of solar fuel technology.

The next steps include EU-compliant sustainability certification and the expansion of production capacities for commercial use from 2027. According to an independent life cycle assessment, solar fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly more than fossil kerosene.

As part of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS has been committed to sustainable aviation fuels for years, supports research and pilot projects and relies on long-term purchase agreements to actively drive forward the transformation of aviation.

You can find the entire press release on the website of Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.