Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is widely accepted as the only short-term solution to aviation’s decarbonisation problem. But there are many challenges with that, which have been widely discussed before: inadequate infrastructure, supply issues, reconfiguring/recertifying jet engines to run on 100% SAF, types of SAF (i.e. which is greener). The problems are well known and there is a tremendous amount of investment in solving these issues to help the industry deliver on its promise to reach net zero in 2050. Today, BA has signed a supply deal with Phillips 66 (see Europe news below); and yesterday American Airlines finalised a new SAF offtake agreement with Aemetis. Also this week, results from the ECLIF3 study, involving Airbus, Rolls-Royce, German research centre DLR and SAF producer Neste, show promising results from a world-first study of the impact of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial jet. Moreover, Pratt & Whitney has now launched the GTF Advantage engine for Airbus A320neo family aircraft, which reduces fuel consumption by an additional one percent and will be compatible with 100 percent SAF at entry into service (see Americas, Technology news below). And these announcements are only from one week – there have been many more similar deals struck between airlines and fuel suppliers to secure volumes and promote investment, and the OEMs are all working to make this happen for 100% SAF powered engines. There is no mistaking the amount of investment being made in this space BUT the worry is that the industry is not working collaboratively enough to ensure the changes that need to happen in the short period of time will make the deadline in time to cut carbon emissions. Eager to know your thoughts on these issues and more related to SAF so please contact me at victoria@airlineeconomics.com.
SAF – aviation’s saviour?
