All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have jointly released the second edition of their report on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), urging stronger nationwide efforts to help the aviation industry achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
The report, titled “Toward Net Zero CO2 Emissions from Air Transport in 2050,” outlines the current status of SAF development in Japan and highlights the steps needed to support aviation decarbonisation, Ethanol Producer Magazine reported.
According to the report, SAF remains essential for reducing aviation emissions but currently accounts for only 0.6% of global aviation fuel consumption as of 2025. The airlines warned that unless SAF production increases and costs decline within the next five years, the aviation sector may struggle to meet its climate targets without major economic and social consequences.
The report also stressed the importance of stable fuel supplies for Japan’s economy and transport network. Japan’s aviation industry is estimated to generate around 17 trillion yen in annual economic activity and plays a vital role in supporting tourism, regional connectivity and transport services to remote islands.
ANA and JAL proposed what they described as a “Japanese Model” for SAF adoption, which would align SAF regulations with the country’s domestic production capacity. The approach aims to avoid supply shortages and excessive costs while supporting long-term growth of the aviation sector.
The airlines also highlighted efforts to reduce customer-related emissions through joint programmes designed to support Scope 3 emission reductions. Under this “co-creation” approach, the financial burden of SAF adoption would be shared across businesses, customers and wider society.
Describing themselves as the “two wings” of Japan’s aviation sector, both airlines said they would continue working together beyond commercial competition to strengthen sustainable air transport and support economic growth.
Juichi Hirasawa said the aviation industry had established an initial foundation for domestic SAF use but warned that delays in securing fuel supplies now posed a risk to Japan’s economic security. He called for a broad national framework to preserve the country’s aviation infrastructure and ensure sustainable air travel for future generations.
Mitsuko Tottori said the aviation sector remained committed to connecting people and supporting society despite the challenges involved in expanding SAF production. She added that ANA and JAL would continue working together with customers and stakeholders to build a sustainable future for air travel.
The latest report follows the first joint SAF report released by the two airlines in October 2021.
