What is SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) in private aviation?

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is transforming the private aviation industry by offering a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel. Derived from renewable sources like waste oils, agricultural residues, and algae, SAF can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while being fully compatible with existing jet engines. As the private aviation sector faces increasing pressure to mitigate its environmental impact, the adoption of SAF is becoming crucial. This article explores the current state of SAF in private aviation, its environmental benefits, challenges, and future outlook.

Understanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

What is SAF and how is it produced?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a cleaner-burning alternative to conventional jet fuel that is derived from renewable sources. It was developed in response to the aviation industry's need to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact.

SAF can be produced from a variety of sustainable feedstocks including waste oils from biological origin, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and dedicated energy crops. Two key production pathways are used to convert these raw materials into jet fuel:

The Fischer-Tropsch process gasifies the feedstock into synthesis gas which is then catalytically converted into liquid hydrocarbons. The resulting synthetic crude oil is refined into SAF.

The Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) process hydrogenates and isomerizes vegetable oils and waste oils into SAF. This is currently the most common SAF production method.

While chemically similar to conventional jet fuel, neat SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. It is a "drop-in" fuel, meaning it can be blended with fossil jet fuel for use in existing aircraft and infrastructure without any modifications required.

Environmental benefits of SAF

SAF can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of private aviation. When used in place of conventional jet fuel, SAF can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.

This substantial emissions reduction helps the aviation industry make meaningful progress towards its sustainability goals. By increasingly adopting SAF, private aviation can play its part in mitigating climate change and decreasing its environmental impact.

As more SAF is produced and utilized by private jets, it will contribute to the industry's ambitious targets of reducing net aviation CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels. SAF is instrumental in making private air travel greener and more sustainable in the long run.

SAF adoption in private aviation

Current SAF availability and usage

Currently, the availability and usage of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in private aviation is still limited but growing:

• A small but increasing number of private jet operators and FBOs are offering SAF. Key providers include Signature Flight Support, Jet Aviation, World Fuel Services, and Avfuel.
• SAF is available at select airports, primarily in the US and Europe. Examples include Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Zurich Airport (ZRH), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) and Bristol Airport (BRS).
• In 2022, about 5 million gallons of neat SAF were produced globally for the entire aviation sector. This represents less than 0.1% of total jet fuel consumption.
• SAF currently costs significantly more than conventional jet fuel, limiting wider adoption. Prices are around 3-5 times higher.
• Business aviation has committed to increasing SAF usage to 2% of total fuel consumption by 2030. Initiatives like the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel are helping drive adoption.

While still a tiny fraction today, SAF availability and uptake in private aviation is expected to rise substantially in the coming years as production scales up and more locations begin supplying it.

Industry commitments and initiatives

The private aviation industry is stepping up its commitment to increasing the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Leading companies are forging strategic partnerships and investing in SAF production to drive the transition to cleaner operations.

However, the path to widespread SAF usage is not without hurdles. The current limited availability and higher costs compared to conventional jet fuel present challenges that need to be overcome.

Despite these obstacles, the industry's resolve to embrace sustainability remains strong. Collaborative initiatives and continued investments in research and infrastructure are paving the way for a greener future in private aviation, where SAF becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Impact on private jet operations

While sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) offer significant environmental benefits, their impact on private jet operations must be carefully considered. SAF has a slightly lower energy density compared to conventional jet fuel. This means that to achieve the same range, jets need to carry slightly more fuel when using SAF blends, which can marginally increase fuel consumption.

SAF is also currently more expensive than traditional jet fuel. Depending on the blend ratio, it can increase operating costs for private jets. However, many in the industry see this as an acceptable tradeoff for reducing carbon emissions and view it as an investment in a more sustainable future for aviation.

From an operational standpoint, SAF is a "drop-in" fuel that is fully compatible with existing jet engines and infrastructure. No modifications are required to use SAF blends. Misconceptions that SAF isn't as powerful or reliable as conventional jet fuel are unfounded. When produced to specification, SAF meets the same technical and safety standards.

Challenges and future outlook for SAF in private aviation

Production and cost barriers

The current supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is limited, hindering wider adoption in the private aviation sector. SAF production capacity is still in its early stages, with only a handful of facilities worldwide producing the alternative fuel at a commercial scale.

This limited supply, coupled with the high costs of production, results in SAF being significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel. Prices can be up to 3-5 times higher, making it economically challenging for private jet operators to fully embrace SAF without passing on substantial costs to their clients.

Potential solutions to overcome these barriers include government incentives and investments to stimulate SAF production and infrastructure development. Targeted subsidies, grants, and tax credits could help lower the cost gap between SAF and traditional jet fuel, making it more viable for widespread use in the private aviation sector. As production scales up and technology advances, costs are expected to decrease over time, but strong policy support will be crucial in accelerating this transition.

Infrastructure and distribution challenges

Expanding SAF production and distribution requires significant investments in infrastructure. Current facilities and pipelines are designed for traditional jet fuel, so modifications and new construction will be necessary to accommodate SAF at scale.

However, efforts are underway to address these challenges. Airports, fuel suppliers, and private aviation companies are collaborating to build out SAF storage capacity and blending capabilities. Dedicated SAF pipelines and transportation networks are also being planned to streamline distribution.

While the infrastructure hurdles are substantial, the industry's commitment to overcoming them is strong. Strategic partnerships and targeted investments are paving the way for SAF to become more widely accessible, enabling private aviation to make meaningful progress towards its sustainability goals.

Regulatory landscape and industry standards

The regulatory landscape around sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is evolving as its adoption grows in private aviation:

• Authorities like the FAA, EASA and ICAO are developing and updating regulations to enable greater SAF use while ensuring safety and performance standards are met.
• ASTM International has established specifications for SAF under ASTM D7566, allowing SAF to be used as a drop-in fuel up to certain blending limits. More pathways are being certified to expand approved feedstocks and production methods.
• Industry groups like IBAC, NBAA, EBAA and GAMA are collaborating on standards, best practices and reporting frameworks to support the seamless integration of SAF into business aviation.

Establishing clear industry standards is crucial to accelerate SAF uptake and ensure a level playing field:

• Harmonized global standards provide certainty for fuel producers, aircraft operators and infrastructure providers to invest in scaling up SAF.
• Robust standards ensure the sustainability credentials of SAF, traceability of supply chains and accurate accounting of emissions reductions.
• Widely accepted standards also facilitate the book-and-claim SAF programs that are essential to increase availability at more locations.

As regulations and standards mature, they will underpin the transformational role of SAF in making private aviation more sustainable in the coming decades.

Future projections and innovations

The future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in private aviation looks promising, with several key projections and innovations on the horizon:

1. Increased SAF production capacity: Major fuel producers are investing heavily in expanding SAF production facilities worldwide. This will significantly boost the available supply of SAF in the coming years, making it more accessible for private jet operators.
2. Improved SAF blending ratios: Current regulations allow for a maximum of 50% SAF to be blended with conventional jet fuel. However, ongoing research and testing aim to increase this ratio, with the goal of eventually achieving 100% SAF use in aircraft.
3. New SAF production pathways: Scientists and engineers are continually developing innovative methods to produce SAF from a wider variety of sustainable feedstocks, such as algae, municipal solid waste, and even captured CO2. These advancements will further diversify the SAF supply chain and reduce costs.
4. Electrification and hydrogen propulsion: While SAF is currently the most viable solution for decarbonizing aviation, electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are also being developed. These technologies could complement SAF in the future, particularly for shorter-range private flights.
5. Industry targets and government support: The private aviation sector has set ambitious targets for SAF adoption, with many companies pledging to significantly increase their SAF usage by 2030 and beyond. Governments are also offering incentives and implementing policies to support SAF production and uptake.

As these projections and innovations materialize, the widespread adoption of SAF in private aviation will become increasingly feasible, paving the way for a more sustainable future in luxury air travel.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is transforming private aviation by offering a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce emissions by up to 80%. While current SAF supply is limited and costs are high, the private jet industry is investing in expanding production and distribution infrastructure to make SAF more widely available. As research continues to improve SAF technology and processes, costs are expected to decrease, making widespread adoption more feasible. Private jet operators like Orizair are leading the transition, offering clients the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by booking SAF-powered flights through simple, user-friendly platforms. As the push for sustainability grows, SAF will play an integral role in making luxury air travel more environmentally responsible.