Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Aviation has long been one of the hardest sectors of the economy to decarbonize. While electric planes are emerging for short hops, long-haul flights still require high-density liquid fuels. In 2026, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has reached a critical inflection point in production and adoption. SAF is a “drop-in” biofuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks, such as used cooking oils, agricultural waste, or even captured . Because it is chemically almost identical to traditional jet kerosene, it can be used in existing aircraft engines and airport refueling infrastructure without any modifications.
By 2026, the industry is moving toward “Power-to-Liquid” (PtL) fuels, which combine captured with green hydrogen to create completely synthetic kerosene. While SAF currently costs more than fossil fuels, government mandates and “green corridors” between major global hubs are driving down prices through economies of scale. Major airlines are now committing to 10% or even 20% SAF blends by 2030. Although SAF still emits during flight, it recycles carbon that was already in the atmosphere, potentially reducing the lifecycle carbon footprint of flying by up to 80%. This makes SAF the most viable pathway for the airline industry to reach its net-zero goals.
