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Sustainable Aviation Fuels

Sustainable Aviation Fuels are alternative jet fuels produced from renewable feedstocks that can significantly reduce aviation's carbon emissions compared to conventional petroleum-based jet fuel. The fuels are designed to be drop-in replacements, meaning they can be blended with or fully substitute traditional jet fuel without requiring modifications to existing aircraft engines or fuel infrastructure. Feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuels include agricultural residues, waste oils, municipal solid waste, forestry biomass, algae and dedicated energy crops such as sugarcane. Production pathways vary but commonly involve processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, hydroprocessing of esters and fatty acids, and alcohol-to-jet conversion. The aviation sector views sustainable aviation fuels as a critical tool for decarbonisation, particularly for long-haul flights where battery-electric and hydrogen propulsion remain technologically challenging. Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from sustainable aviation fuels can be up to 80% lower than conventional jet fuel, depending on feedstock and production method. Adoption is driven by regulatory pressure, corporate sustainability commitments and international climate targets, though high production costs and limited supply remain barriers to widespread deployment. Governments and industry bodies worldwide are implementing blending mandates, tax incentives and investment programmes to scale up production capacity. The International Air Transport Association has set a target for the aviation industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with sustainable aviation fuels expected to contribute about 65% of the required emissions reductions. Major airlines, fuel producers and agricultural sectors are forming partnerships to secure feedstock supply chains and expand refining infrastructure for sustainable aviation fuels.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Updates


Crops for biofuel production
Study shows there is potential for biofuels but SA needs base price to drive development
12th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

The South African Sorghum Bioethanol Study, produced by market research and strategy company BluePrint and commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund, shows that there are viable commercial... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Creecy urges collaboration, LNG and ports reform at fuels imbizo
11th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has said that South Africa’s logistics recovery and long-term energy security will depend on the closer collaboration between government and the fuels industry, as... 


IATA calls for action to accelerate the still disappointing global production of SAF
8th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

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)... 


An aircraft being refuelled
IATA, ICAO to cooperate on facilitating sustainable aviation fuels
4th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The International Air Transport Association (IATA – the global representative body for the airline industry) and the intergovernmental International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have... 


Crops for biofuel production
Study indicates commercial potential for biofuels but South Africa needs base price to drive development
27th May 2026 By: Schalk Burger

The South African Sorghum Bioethanol Study, produced by market research and strategy company BluePrint and commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund, shows that there are viable commercial... 


African governments need to prioritise aviation, says IATA
29th April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Aviation was a strategic enabler for African social and economic development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted, at its Focus Africa Conference, in Addis Ababa,... 


The above image depcits South African Farmers Development Association (Safda) executive chairperson Dr Siyabonga Madlala
State of sector undermines master plan objectives - Safda
3rd April 2026 By: Lynne Davies

The Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan aims to reverse the decline of small-scale growers by preserving and extending their foundational role in the industry, says industry body South African... 


SA Canegrowers CEO Dr Thomas Funke 
Opinion: South Africa should import Brazil’s biofuel expertise, not its sugar
20th March 2026

In this article, SA Canegrowers CEO Dr Thomas Funke argues that South Africa should focus on bilateral trade with its BRICS partner Brazil, not for imported sugar, but rather an exchange of... 


KAHRE plans $50bn to $150bn net-zero industrial corridor in South Africa
KAHRE plans $50bn to $150bn net-zero industrial corridor in South Africa
13th February 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Renewable-energy company KAHRE Renewable Energy Group has announced plans for South Africa’s first fully integrated net-zero industrial corridor, linking large-scale renewable-energy generation in... 


Ethiopian airlines
African airlines suffer higher costs, lower profit margins despite booming air traffic growth
11th December 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects global air passenger traffic to grow by 4.9% from five-billion passengers this year to 5.2-billion passengers in 2026. In Africa, the... 


AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi
South Africa’s airspace safety failures are an economic disaster
17th October 2025 By: Rebecca Campbell

Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) CEO Aaron Munetsi has called out South Africa for its safety failures and operational inefficiencies in the sphere of aviation. He was addressing the... 


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