Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production is expected to reach around 2.4 million tonnes this year, representing just 0.8% of aviation fuel use, at a cost to airlines of USD4.3 billion.
The International Air Transport Association says the path to meeting 65% of the airline industry’s needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, says progress has been hurt by ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ ‘manifest’ lack of interest.
“The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF,’’ he adds.
IATA is worried government mandates could be imposed on airlines when there is no supply of SAF. Targets for 2030 in the UK and the EU are beyond unrealistic—‘they are utterly detached from reality’, says Walsh.
. . . Passenger Demand
The latest IATA passenger survey, from Apr, shows strong and consistent traveller support for decarbonising air transport. Some 89% of passengers polled believe the industry should continue reducing emissions even if governments scale back their efforts, and a similar share sees flying as essential and as something that must be made sustainable, rather than restricting its use.
This support is backed by a willing ness to act, says IATA with two thirds of passengers saying they are willing to pay more to compensate for emissions, and nearly 88% expect ticket prices to rise as a result of sustainability investments. Almost half of travellers (48%) look at carbon emissions when choosing flights. Among those who do, over 85% say it affects their decision, while around three-quarters say they prefer airlines with stronger environmental performance. Total fuel airline consumption in 2026 is expected to be close to 400 billion litres.
