The role of airports in scaling up Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
SAF plays a crucial role for airports aiming to achieve net-zero, offering significant environmental, economic, and community benefits.
As the aviation industry is projected to grow by over 4% annually, integrating SAF is essential for airports to meet net-zero emissions targets by 2050. By adopting SAF, airports can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, particularly in terms of Scope 3 emissions. These emissions constitute the majority of an airport's carbon footprint, accounting for up to 95% of total emissions in some cases. These indirect emissions, which fall outside an airport's direct control, primarily stem from aircraft operations, including jet fuel consumption during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.
SAF plays a pivotal role in addressing these Scope 3 emissions, as it can reduce CO2 emissions by 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. This reduction in emissions allows airports to expand their operations and accommodate increasing air travel demand without proportionally increasing their environmental impact. Airports are increasingly focusing on facilitating SAF adoption through various initiatives, such as implementing incentive programs, collaborating with airlines and fuel suppliers, and supporting infrastructure development.
Virgin Atlantic’s Flight 100, which used 100% SAF, showcased the potential for SAF to reduce CO2 emissions by 64% compared to conventional flights. It also demonstrated a 40% reduction in particulate matter emissions, increasing to 70% for the HEFA-SAF component alone. These reductions directly benefit local communities by improving air quality and minimizing environmental impacts.
SAF-powered flights enhance an airport’s sustainability profile, help meet regulatory demands, and address passenger expectations for more eco-friendly travel. With mandates for SAF adoption already emerging, airports can play a role in collaborating with airline partners and fuel suppliers to integrate SAF into their operations.
Key benefits of SAF for airports include:
- Significant emissions reductions, particularly for Scope 3 emissions.
- Support for airline partners and fuel suppliers in meeting emerging SAF mandates.
- Mitigation of increased costs to passengers through improved efficiency.
- Environmental benefits, including reduced particulate matter emissions and improved local air quality.
What are the challenges?
Despite the promise of SAF, scaling its production to meet global demand faces serious challenges. According to IATA, only about 0.5 million tonnes (MT) of SAF were produced globally in 2023, although this was double the amount from 2023. IATA further suggests that aviation will need about 25-30% of renewable fuel capacity annually to reach net zero by 2050. To achieve this goal, the industry would need to exceed production of around 400 MT of SAF each year. Given the existing capacity, this represents a monumental task for the aviation sector.
Today, SAF accounted for only around 6% of renewable fuel production in 2024, with the vast majority going toward other sectors like on-road transport. There are a number of factors limiting take up of SAF by the aviation sector:
- Policy uncertainty: While demand drivers such as the SAF mandates and incentives exist, long-term policy support remains uncertain, which adds financial risks for investors.
- Cost premium: SAF is sold at a 2–4x premium compared to conventional Jet-A fuel, driven by the cost of scaling production.
- Technology immaturity: The only commercial SAF production pathway is HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids). Other approved pathways, such as Alcohol-to-Jet and Power-to-Liquids, are still in the early stages of development.
- Feedstock limitations: HEFA relies on limited feedstocks, such as used cooking oil and fats, restricting large-scale production.
Airports and other stakeholders must address these challenges to meet SAF targets by advocating for the right policy support and mitigating the financial burden on airlines and passengers.
How can airports support the scaling of SAF?
Airports will play a pivotal role in the transition to SAF. They are perfectly positioned to drive demand, foster partnerships, and support the necessary infrastructure to scale SAF production and adoption. However, achieving this will require a collaborative effort from all industry stakeholders.
Here are some key ways airports can contribute to SAF development:
- Mitigate: SAF represents a cost challenge for the industry. Airports can help mitigate the financial burden of SAF adoption by implementing innovative incentive programs. As an example, Heathrow Airport (LHR) has introduced an incentive scheme to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), subsidizing 50% of the SAF premium through a portion of the NOx charge. This program provides airlines with a rebate of £460 per tonne of SAF uplifted, making SAF more economically viable and supporting Heathrow's target of 2.5% SAF usage by 2024.
- Advocate: Leveraging their significant influence in the aviation industry, airports can advocate for SAF policies and regulatory frameworks at local, national and international levels. This includes lobbying for incentives to support SAF production, pushing for reduced barriers to adoption, and raising public awareness about the benefits of SAF. Airports can also support research and pilot projects to accelerate SAF development and demonstrate its viability
- Collaborate: Airports can lead the way in SAF adoption by fostering strategic partnerships and investments. This involves collaborating with airlines, fuel producers, and governments to establish robust supply chains and coordinate SAF distribution efforts. Airports can also invest in advanced infrastructure, such as blending facilities and dedicated pipelines, to facilitate seamless SAF integration. By participating in international SAF initiatives, airports can position themselves as sustainability leaders and drive industry-wide progress.
It is important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Airports can take on different roles based on their resources, location, and strategic priorities.
Here's how airports can support the SAF transition in various capacities:
Each airport should carefully consider its unique circumstances when deciding how to engage with the SAF transition. Factors such as financial resources, geographical location, existing partnerships, and environmental commitments will all play a role in determining the most appropriate approach. Regardless of the chosen role—whether as an observer, facilitator, or leader—every airport’s contribution is important in advancing the aviation industry towards a more sustainable future.
Ultimately, SAF offers a practical and scalable solution to aviation’s decarbonization challenge. For airports, embracing SAF means contributing to the industry’s sustainability goals but also positioning themselves as enablers of growth in the long run. However, the transition to widespread SAF use requires coordinated efforts, policy support, and investment support across various stakeholders.