The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has lamented the continuing slow development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production. SAF production for this year was forecast to total 2.4-million tons, which would amount to less than 1% of total aviation fuel use, but would cost airlines $4.3-billion. (SAF are biofuels, produced from a range of biomass feedstocks.)

“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production,” highlighted IATA director-general Willie Walsh. “Five years after committing to achieve net zero by 2050, SAF production will only form 0.8% of airline fuel use this year. The path to meeting 65% of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of 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. But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialise in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market.”

Surveys indicate that passengers support the decarbonisation of aviation, with 89% supporting airlines continuing to reduce their emissions, even if governments cut back their initiatives; 89% also saw air travel as essential, that should be made sustainable, and not reduced. Already, 48% of passengers look at carbon emissions before choosing flights, with 85% of these reporting that it affects their decision, while some 75% of passengers prefer flying with carriers which have a stronger environmental record. Regarding cost, almost 88% of passengers expect sustainability investments to increase ticket prices, while around 66% are willing to pay higher prices to reduce emissions.

IATA is seeking coordinated action in four priorities to accelerate SAF production. In the association’s ranking, the first of these is to increase the supply of renewable energy to support SAF production through the provision of these and other clean energies, and to develop sufficient feedstocks. Next is to make certain that there is open access to the complete fuel infrastructure system, such as storage, pipelines and airport fuel systems, to ensure fair competition and efficient distribution. Third is to reinforce policy support for SAF through the effective sequencing of investment frameworks and production incentives, to ensure security and reduce risk before the imposition of any mandates. Finally, the enablement of a global SAF market fed by enough SAF to allow the commercially viable prices that are essential to the economic and financial stability of airlines.