Sustainable Aviation Fuel

What is sustainable aviation fuel? 

SAF is the main term used by the aviation industry to describe a non-conventional (fossil derived) aviation fuel. SAF is the preferred IATA term for this type of fuel although when other terms such as sustainable alternative fuel, sustainable alternative jet fuel, renewable jet fuel or biojet fuel are used, in general, the same intent is meant. 

‘Biofuels’ typically refers to fuels produced from biological resources (plant or animal material). However, current technology allows fuel to be produced from other alternative sources, including non-biological resources; thus, the generic description of SAF is used. The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel and they can be safely mixed with the latter to varying degrees, use the same supply infrastructure and do not require the adaptation of aircraft or engines. Fuels with these properties are called ‘drop-in fuels’ (i.e. fuels that can be automatically incorporated into existing airport fuelling systems). This definition is available on the IATA website. 

The feedstocks for these fuels, currently waste materials such as used cooking oil, absorb CO₂ in their growth cycle before this carbon is recycled into fuel and then emitted during the flight. SAF produces similar levels of carbon dioxide to conventional aviation fuels when burned, but the carbon dioxide generated is already part of the carbon cycle and is not extracted from the ground specifically for creating aviation fuel. This means that using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel.

What role will SAF play in our transition plan? 

SAF reduces carbon emissions on a greenhouse gas lifecycle basis, typically by 80% or more compared with fossil jet fuels. IAG is on track to deliver a 100-fold increase in its SAF volumes between 2022 and 2030 and expects to use SAF for 70% of total fuel in 2050.

In 2021, the Group set a target of using one million tonnes of SAF a year by 2030, dependent on appropriate government policy support, and this volume will save as much carbon as taking one million cars off the road a year.

Our targets

Key SAF partnerships

SAF partnerships in action