IATA warns SAF growth remains too slow despite higher production forecast for 2026
In India, BioEnergy Times reported that the global production of sustainable aviation fuel is expected to rise sharply in 2026, but volumes will still account for less than 1% of total jet fuel demand, highlighting the scale of the aviation sector’s decarbonisation challenge.
According to projections released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global SAF output is expected to increase by more than 26% compared with the previous year to reach around 2.4 million tons. Despite that growth, SAF is projected to supply only 0.8% of total jet fuel consumption worldwide, according to the report.
IATA described the pace of expansion as insufficient relative to the industry’s long-term emissions goals.
The organization estimates airlines will spend approximately $4.3 billion on SAF this year as carriers continue to increase use of lower-carbon aviation fuels, the report added.
Commenting on the outlook, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said progress toward achieving aviation’s long-term target of meeting a significant share of fuel demand through SAF is becoming increasingly difficult due to policy challenges and limited momentum in fuel supply expansion.
Category: SAF
