Page 74 - World Airnews Magazine January 2021 Edition

COLUMN

SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE

AVIATION FUEL

low-carbon transport industries. away and offer the greatest potential for

The aim of stimulus funds would be to short-haul aircraft. Long-haul operations

he International Air Transport create a competitive market. Currently are likely to remain dependent on liquid

TAssociation has called on govern- SAF is on average between two-four times fuels for some time to come.

ments worldwide to support the devel- more expensive than fossil fuels with SAF is the industry’s preferred solution

opment of sustainable aviation fuel - as a current global production of about 100 for its unique properties:

critical step to achieving its target to cut million litres a year which is just 0.1% of the • SAF has impact. Over its lifecycle, SAF

net emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050. total amount of aviation fuel consumed by reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80%.

This target was re-enforced by a the industry. IATA estimates that stimulus • SAF is a proven technology. SAF

resolution at IATA’s 76th annual general investments could help boost SAF produc- has been safely used on more than
tion to the 2% (6-7 billion litres) needed to

meeting yesterday which also commits the trigger a potential tipping point to bring 300,000 flights to date.

industry to exploring pathways to net zero SAF to competitive price levels against • SAF is scalable and ready to use in

emissions. fossil fuels. today’s fleet. No engine modifications

“We have long known that an energy are needed. And it can be blended
SAF was recently highlighted in the
transition to SAF is the game-changer. cross-industry report Waypoint 2050 by with jet kerosene as supplies increase.

But energy transitions need government the Air Transport Action Group as the • SAF has strong sustainability criteria.

support. The cost of SAF is too high and most important pathway to achieving All raw material (feedstock) used to
supplies too limited. This crisis is the oppor- the aviation industry’s climate goals. The produce SAF is sourced only from

tunity to change that. Putting economic report also noted the potential for electric sustainable sources. Currently SAF is

stimulus funds behind the development and hydrogen powered aircraft in aviation’s being produced from waste mate-

of a large-scale, competitive SAF market climate action but said that commercially rials including used cooking oil and

would be a triple win - creating jobs, fight- applicable solutions are at least a decade non-food crops, with municipal waste

ing climate change and sustainably and off-gasses likely to be included in
connecting the world,” said Alexan- feedstock soon.

dre de Juniac, director general and “As the world looks to re-boot the
CEO of IATA. economy, let’s not waste this oppor-
Government stimulus packages tunity to create jobs and an industry

could help promote SAF through di- that will yield huge dividends for the
rect investment, loan guarantees and public good. If we can drive SAF prices
incentives for the private sector, as down as we drive production volumes

well as regulations that channel feed- up, we will be able to sustainably

stock towards hard-to-abate sectors connect the post-COVID-19 world,”
such as aviation rather than to other said de Juniac. Q

w
orld Airne
W World Airnews | January 2021s | December 2017
— 4 —
— 48 —