Insider Briefs
- Qantas and Airbus are investing AUD$15 million in Climate Tech Partners to support early-stage sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies and supply chain innovation in Australia.
- The move builds on their existing US$200 million partnership and will create a dedicated fund within CTP to target SAF production, new feedstocks, and commercial-scale deployment essential for decarbonizing aviation.
- Selected startups will gain funding and mentorship from CTP, Qantas, and Airbus, with an eye toward accelerating domestic SAF capabilities and bridging the gap between R&D and real-world aviation use.
Qantas and Airbus Invest $15 Million in Decarbonizing Aviation Technologies
Qantas and Airbus are partnering with Climate Tech Partners in Australia to invest AUD$15 million to boost technologies aimed at decarbonizing aviation.
The companies announced the joint investment with the venture capital fund this week in Sydney as part of a broader strategy to expand the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and related technologies, with a focus on Australia.
Creating a Dedicated Fund to Scale Decarbonizing Aviation Solutions
According to CTP, the move is part of the US$200 million partnership Australian airline Qantas and aerospace giant Airbus first launched in 2022 to support SAF innovation. This latest commitment marks a shift from global ambition to local action. The investment will create a dedicated vehicle within CTP, with a focus on early-stage SAF production, new feedstock sources, and supply chain technologies.
Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Decarbonize Aviation
“This partnership with CTP and Qantas highlights that the scaling of Sustainable Aviation Fuel needs innovative solutions for a nascent technology that will drive innovation, attract investment and create new jobs in Australia, which I believe is well positioned to be a leader in low carbon fuels. At Airbus, we are honoured to be partnering with Qantas and now CTP to transform aviation for the long term,” said Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer, ins a statement.
CTP indicated the funding is a way to “bridge the gap that Qantas and Airbus have identified between early-stage climate technologies and at-scale commercial production” in that country.
“Sustainable aviation fuel is the most effective tool we have to decarbonize aviation and, with Airbus, we’re investing significantly in ways to make it more available and accessible. ” said Fiona Messent, Qantas Group Chief Sustainability Officer. “As well as funding, this partnership will help provide a vote of confidence in new technologies so they can be developed, scaled and integrated in the SAF supply chain, while also providing companies with access to Qantas and Airbus as they develop and test their solutions.”
Investment Strategy to Accelerate Decarbonizing Aviation
CTP will manage the investment, deploying capital into promising Australian and global startups. These companies will receive not just financial backing, but access to strategic expertise and mentorship from both Qantas and Airbus, along with CTP’s other partners. If the startups make headway, the aviation partners may follow up with direct investments to bring the technologies to market.
CTP, which invests mostly at the Series A level, focuses on technologies that are scalable and close to commercialization. Its partners come from sectors such as power generation, logistics, and resources—a base that will help match technological development with real-world aviation needs.
Strategic Industry Collaboration to Drive Decarbonizing Aviation
Patrick Sieb, Co-Founder of CTP, said the partnership “allows us to not only make more deeply informed investment decisions in this complex area but attract and support the best companies by helping them accelerate through industry engagement.”
