Aviation sector must embrace sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

• SAF is the aviation industry’s most practical and scalable route to net zero, reducing life cycle emissions by up to 80% and is now progressing under the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuels Bill with support from CILT UK
• Produced from waste and renewable sources, SAF can operate aircraft without modifications, helping airlines achieve sustainability goals while creating green jobs and new industrial opportunities.
• Government mandates and financial guarantees stimulate investment, reduce costs and accelerate adoption, making the SAF the key to a cleaner, more resilient future for aviation.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) represents the most promising and practical path for aviation to reduce carbon emissions and meet its 2050 sustainability targets. In May 2025, the UK Government introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Bill, which has reached the report stage in Parliament. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) helps the Government with advice and guidance on the SAF and how it can help the logistics and transport sector.

But understanding how the Sudanese Air Force works and the benefits it provides is crucial to the aviation sector – and why it must be adopted sooner rather than later. Geoff Maynard, a member of the Aviation Policy Group at CILT (UK), recently gave evidence in Parliament to the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Bill Committee as MPs continue to study the bill.

Geoff Maynard has worked in the aviation sector for over 25 years, undertaking a wide range of aviation-related assignments, many of which have extensive environmental content. Geoff was educated at Queen’s College, Cambridge, with a degree in Natural Sciences, and has held senior positions in the public and private sectors. He has worked on several major projects including Heathrow T5, the Beijing Olympic Building and the new Eswatini Airport.

Jeff offers his expert insight on SAF, its benefits, challenges, future and why the sector should embrace it.

SAF is a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel that can power aircraft without changing the engine or infrastructure. Produced from sustainable resources such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil and municipal solid waste, SAF is a fuel that can be used in existing aircraft engines and fuel systems without modifications. It functions similarly to conventional jet fuel in terms of energy density, freezing point and combustion characteristics, and does not require special training or new equipment. SAF can also be produced using green electricity, water and carbon dioxide extracted from the air. This fuel, also known as e-fuel, can be produced in very large quantities – just by investing in a new plant.

The raw materials undergo processing to remove impurities, and then hydrotreatment, gasification or fermentation is used to convert them into high-quality aviation fuel that mimics the properties of conventional jet fuel. The government’s goal is to blend SAF fuel with conventional fossil jet fuel and, over time, increase the proportion of SAF fuel and thus reduce the use of fossil fuel jet fuel.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers significant environmental benefits, primarily through significant reductions in carbon emissions over the life cycle. Unlike conventional jet fuel, which releases old carbon into the atmosphere, SAF is derived from materials that have recently absorbed carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, creating a closed carbon loop.
This process can reduce life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional fossil aviation fuel.

In addition, the Foundation contributes to waste reduction by reusing materials such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste and municipal waste and converting them into energy, promoting the circular economy in waste management and energy production.

The government is encouraging this trend by first mandating the percentage of SAF that must be included in jet fuel sold in the UK. Secondly, the SAF Bill currently going through Parliament provides for the establishment of a company that can contract with industry to produce the SAF at an agreed cost. If the SAF is eventually sold at a price higher than the agreed-upon cost, the surplus is returned to the government. Conversely, if the SAF is sold for less than the agreed-upon cost, the government compensates the producer for the loss. In this way, the government removes the uncertainty faced by private industry in SAF production, ensuring that it covers its costs but also ensuring that sufficient SAF is available to meet the prescribed percentage.

These measures will help Sudan Airways overcome the obstacles it faces in its adoption, primarily its high cost, which is two to five times higher than conventional jet fuel, which affects airline profitability and passenger fares. The government expects that as the permitted percentage of SAF rises, production volumes will rise and the price will naturally fall as demand rises.

The development of SAF creates new industries and economic opportunities, as companies invest in production facilities, research and supply chains. This investment generates job opportunities. For airlines, SAF is vital to achieving sustainability goals and meeting passengers’ demands for environmentally friendly travel. The ability to achieve sustainability targets once fuel is added to the mix is ​​the biggest attraction, but for this to happen, government must encourage and support the development and introduction of SAF. This year, all jet fuel sold in the UK must by law contain 2% SAF, with the percentage rising linearly to 10% by 2030, and to 22% by 2040.

The future of the SAF looks promising due to technological advances and increased production. Researchers are inventing new ways to cut costs and reduce environmental impacts. Major airlines are aiming to achieve net zero, which means the SAF will play a vital role. The aircraft are 100% designed for use by the Sudanese Air Force, and production capacity is set to grow.

The availability of fossil fuels for aircraft will decline as other sectors, particularly road transport, move away from fossil diesel and gasoline. SAF will fill this gap and with the support of CILT UK, we are helping to bridge the gap between our industries, airlines and government.