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and Tourism (MLIT) estimates that 1.7 billion liters of
SAF would be required to replace 10 percent of the
country’s jet fuel by 2030. The country will likely have
the capacity to produce about 1.9 billion gallons of
SAF annually by 2030. Reports indicate that India will
mandate the use of 1 per cent SAF for domestic airlines
by 2025.

Carriers are starting to set themselves goals as well;
American Airlines and Air France want to replace 10 per
cent of their jet fuel with SAF by 2030. Ryanair envis-
ages fueling 12.5 per cent of its flights with SAF by 2030.
Cebu Pacific is another big advocate of SAF; in October
last year, the carrier operated a Singapore to Manila
passenger flight powered by SAF, becoming the first
Philippine carrier to incorporate green fuels in its com-
mercial operations. In the business travel arena, Shell,
American Express Global Business Travel, Accenture
and Energy Web Foundation have joined hands to Eyes on the Prize
create Avelia, one of the world’s first blockchain-pow- A GE Aerospace-commissioned survey of aviation deci-
ered SAF book-and-claim platforms for business travel.
sion makers in May this year reveals how committed the
industry is to achieving net zero carbon emissions by
Surging Demand 2050. Of the 325 top aviation executives in the U.S., the
U.K., China, India, the UAE, and France that took part in
Currently, demand outstrips supply by far. According the Ipsos-conducted survey, 76 per cent said that the
to a study conducted as part of the ReFuelEU Aviation focus on sustainability has fundamentally changed the
initiative, with the introduction of a SAF blending man- way the industry operates. Thirty per cent of the respon-
date, demand for aviation fuel at EU airports would dents, who were representing airlines, airframers, and
amount to around 46 million tonnes in 2030. In order to airports, were of the view that meeting aviation’s sus-
reach 5 per cent of SAF by 2030 for all flights departing tainability goal is the number one challenge the industry
from EU airports, approximately 2.3 million tonnes of is facing, even over supply chain and labor issues. The
SAF would be required. survey revealed that 88 per cent of companies already
have a sustainability strategy in place.
“IATA estimates that in 2022, about 300 million liters of
SAF was produced,” says Wood. “This includes Neste’s Even with the progress the industry is making towards
SAF production capacity of 125 million liters (100,000 green air travel, not everyone is convinced that the goal
tons) per annum. This is an increase in production, but of net zero by 2050 is attainable. While 46 per cent of
the reality is that we still have a long way to go, and the respondents believe the industry will meet its goal,
we need the whole industry, including airlines, airports, 32 per cent said it will not. On average, respondents
OEMs, fuel producers and governments, to accelerate believe the target will be met by 2055. Increased invest-
SAF production.” ment in SAF is the most important role that government
can play in helping industry reach the 2050 goal, adds
Cost is one major factor that inhibits the use of SAF by the survey.
airlines. “In general, SAF is 3 – 5 times more expensive
than conventional jet fuel,” adds Wodd. “Fuel is a major
cost factor for airlines, which are still recovering from Concerted Effort
the pandemic. Policies like incentives in some markets Even as governments scramble to finalize mandates
could help reduce the cost difference and stimulate and incentives for sustainability initiatives, private play-
SAF use.” ers are quietly playing their part. In August this year,
The First Movers Coalition (FMC), with members such
There has been an uptick in the number of Asian car- as Salesforce, Deloitte, Airbus, Breakthrough Energy,
riers looking to use SAF. While ANA and Japan Airlines Boom Supersonic, Eni, JetBlue Ventures, Qantas Airways
(JAL) plan to buy SAF from Raven, to add to their ongo- and World Energy, launched a Sustainable Aviation
ing partnership with Neste, Korean Air is even more Challenge (SAC). The coalition, a joint initiative launched
ambitious. The carrier has signed a memorandum of in 2021 between the World Economic Forum (WEF) and
understanding with Shell to purchase and supply SAF the U.S. Department of State, is seeking proposals
at major airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East from entrepreneurs working on solutions to decarbon-
for five years, beginning in 2026. ize the aviation industry. The United Airlines Ventures

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