Book and Claim System Enables SAF Use in Catalonia’s HEMS Operations
Airbus Helicopters and SAF Hélicoptères pioneer sustainable aviation fuel adoption for emergency medical missions
The deployment of two H145 helicopters for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) missions in Catalonia has marked a breakthrough in sustainable aviation, thanks to the innovative use of the Book and Claim system. This initiative is the result of close collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and SAF Hélicoptères, aligning environmental responsibility with life-saving operations.
SAF Hélicoptères, a long-standing French operator, has partnered with the Catalan Department of Health to provide helicopters, pilots, technical aircrew, maintenance, and training. What sets this contract apart is the environmental stipulation requiring the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
“The decision to mandate SAF reflects our core value of environmental responsibility,” said Juan Carlos Gomez Herrera of the Catalan administration. “It extends our duty to promote public health by reducing long-term environmental impacts.”
Understanding Book and Claim
Direct SAF supply is often impractical for small hospital helipads. The Book and Claim system solves this by allowing operators to pay for SAF production volumes elsewhere, receiving certificates that verify carbon reduction benefits.
Jean-Louis Camus, co-director of SAF Hélicoptères, explained: “In my contract, I pay the equivalent of a portion of my helicopters’ fuel usage in exchange for a certificate. While simple on paper, it is complex to implement.”
Airbus acts as a facilitator, sourcing SAF certificates through tenders and managing them via the RSB platform. “The process is transparent for operators and end users,” noted Laurie Ceccan of Airbus Helicopters. “It ensures traceable, verifiable SAF benefits even where direct supply isn’t feasible.”
Verified Sustainability
The certification system, backed by RSB and Airbus, guarantees independent verification, traceability, and compliance. “This rigorous validation ensures that SAF attributes translate into real, measurable carbon reductions,” added Gomez Herrera.
Catalonia now plans to strengthen SAF requirements in future tenders, while SAF Hélicoptères is ready to expand the system to other applications. Airbus is also promoting Book and Claim to its wider client base, positioning SAF as a cornerstone of rotary-wing aviation’s sustainable future.
About SAF Hélicoptères
With over 40 years of experience, SAF Hélicoptères operates more than 100 helicopters worldwide, specializing in medical evacuation, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. It was the first private operator of the H145 and currently has seven in service, including the two in Catalonia.
About EMS in Catalonia
Serving a population of over eight million across 32,000 km², Catalonia’s EMS relies heavily on helicopters to reach remote areas. With four bases, the service guarantees response times under 30 minutes in 90% of cases, flying around 3,000 missions annually.
Source: Catalonia - Reuters & ©XAirForces News, 12 December 2025
Photo: The Airbus H145’s combination of speed and performance, along with its large cabin and rear-loading clamshell doors, make it the rotorcraft of choice for a variety of civil missions worldwide. (Photo by ©Airbus Helicopter)
Editor: Paul Binder (©XAirForces Aerospace Industry News Editor from France / Sweden)
Keywords: aerospace innovationAirbus Helicoptersaviation sustainabilityBook and Claimcarbon reductionCatalonia EMScybersecuritydecarbonising aviationdigital campusEmergency Medical Servicesenvironmental responsibilityethical complianceEU Renewable Energy Directivefirefightingfuture of aviationH145 helicoptershelicopter operationshospital helipadshumanitarian missionsICAO CORSIAmedical evacuationpilot trainingrenewable feedstocksrotary wing aviationRSB certificationSAFSAF HélicoptèresSustainable Aviation Fuelsynthetic fueltraceabilitytransparencyUniversity of Albacete
Book and Claim System Enables SAF Use in Catalonia’s HEMS Operations
(10.12.2025)
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