IATA member airlines and the wider aviation industry are collectively committed to ambitious emissions reduction goals. Sustainable Aviation Fuel has been identified as one of the key elements in helping achieve these goals. Governmental support is essential to using sustainable aviation fuels to achieve the industry's climate goals.
- Over 450,000 flights have taken to the skies using SAF
- 7 technical pathways exist
- Over 300 million litres of SAF were produced in 2022
- SAF can reduce emissions by up to 80% during its full lifecycle
- Around 17 billion US dollars of SAF are in forward purchase agreements in 2022
- More than 50 airlines now have experience with SAF
Our vision
- Support the aviation industry long-term climate goal
- Increase the commercial deployment of SAF
Our focus
- Engage with a wide range of industry and policy stakeholders on all SAF topics and facilitate cooperation and promote partnerships between them
- Provide policy support at national, regional (e.g. EU) and international (UN) level to create the necessary framework for the commercialization of SAF
- Work towards removing barriers to the realization of a cost-competitive SAF market
- Promote the global harmonization of sustainability criteria for SAF
- Educate and support producers on the technical certification process (i.e ASTM D1655 certification)
- Establish forums for knowledge exchange and business networking opportunities for suppliers and consumers of SAF (e.g. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Symposium)
Fact Sheets
- What is SAF
- SAF and Sustainability
- Technical Certifications
- FAQ on Climate Change
- The Wedge Chart
- SAF Project Economics
- US and EU SAF policies
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Fact Sheet (pdf)
- Hydrogen Fact Sheet
- Biofuel Mandates (pdf)
Key Documents
- RED II - IATA Open Letter on Sustainable Aviation Fuels
- 73rd AGM Resolution on the Commercial Deployment of Sustainable Alternative Fuel for Aviation
- IATA Sustainable Aviation Jet Fuel Strategy
- IATA Sustainable Alternative Fuels Advocacy Guide
- IATA Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap
Do you want to learn more? Attend one of our training courses, online or classroom
- Aviation and the Environment
- Carbon Markets and Sustainable Alternative Fuels
- Fuel Efficiency and Conservation
We also offer tailored workshops and consulting services to help industry and government stakeholders use SAF to its full potential.
In the media
- Incentives Needed to Increase SAF Production (Press release - June 2022)
- 2022 SAF Production Increases 200% - More Incentives Needed to Reach Net Zero (Press release - December 2022)
Background
SAF fact sheet (pdf)
The airline industry has played an instrumental role in advancing technical certification for sustainable aviation fuel to enable its use on passenger flights. The first commercial flights using SAF were performed in 2011. The aviation industry recognizes the importance of strong sustainability standards and notes that the environmental achievement for SAF is up to 80% over their full lifecycle.