Seoul: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced on Sunday that it anticipates the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to double in 2025, reaching 2 million tonnes. However, this increased output will still only account for a mere 0.7 percent of the fuel used by airlines.
IATA, a key industry organization, has consistently cautioned that airlines face significant hurdles in achieving their environmental sustainability targets. It has previously described the rate of SAF production as disappointingly slow, noting that this greener fuel is also more expensive than traditional jet fuel.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, acknowledged the positive news of increased production but highlighted the financial implications. He stated that even this relatively small amount of SAF will add an estimated $4.4 billion to the global aviation industry’s fuel expenses.
“The pace of progress in boosting production and finding ways to make it cheaper must get faster,” Walsh urged in a statement.
In 2021, the broader aviation industry committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal largely depends on a gradual shift towards SAF, which is manufactured from waste oils and biomass.
Airlines are currently facing disagreements with energy companies over the limited availability of SAF. They are also pointing fingers at aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing, citing delays in delivering more fuel-efficient airplanes, which would help reduce fuel consumption overall.
