The consortium is testing how the infrastructure on the ground can be smoothly converted to non-fossil chemical energy sources and how sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can be successfully introduced for aircraft. The aim is to develop solutions by 2025 that will be of use to other airports in Europe during the transition.

The contribution of the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology focuses on the analysis of SAF in the airport system as a key interface between SAF production and SAF utilization. To enable the full potential of SAF with respect to CO₂ and non-CO₂ (contrail formation) emission reduction, scenarios are developed for a targeted use of SAF in flight missions with high climate impact ("smart use of SAF"). Together with other DLR institutes, the feasibility of the scenarios is evaluated in a cost-benefit analysis using Copenhagen Airport as an example.

A further contribution of the Institute consists of a measurement campaign lasting several weeks, which took place in January and February 2023. During this campaign, a commercial aircraft operated by the airline SAS was refuelled with a mixture of 35 percent SAF and 65 percent kerosene. With the help of the mobile measurement laboratory, the team from the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology measured and characterised the exhaust emissions on the runway over a period of three weeks and compared them with those of other aircraft.