(Kuala Lumpur, 7th) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that by 2026, global production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is expected to reach about 2.4 million tons, accounting for only 0.8% of total aviation fuel consumption, while airlines will incur a cost of USD 4.3 billion as a result.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted that given the commitment made five years ago to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and with SAF production this year representing only 0.8% of aviation fuel consumption, it seems that this year will once again prove disappointing.
In a statement, he said that due to improper sequencing of government policy implementation and the apparent lack of interest from oil companies, achieving the target of meeting 65% of total fuel demand with SAF by 2050 is becoming increasingly difficult.
"The current energy shock should drive the development of renewable energy, including SAF. But we have yet to see the need for energy resilience, the development of energy independence, job creation, and the urgent need to address climate change transform into the incentives necessary to build a market for sustainable aviation fuel."
To accelerate SAF scaling and deployment, IATA, representing more than 370 airlines that cover 85% of global air passenger traffic, is calling for coordinated action in four key priority areas.
The first is to increase the supply of renewable energy to support SAF production. The second is to ensure adequate availability of feedstock and clean energy, as well as the open access of fuel infrastructure such as pipelines, storage facilities, and airport fueling systems, to promote fair competition and efficient distribution.
The third is to enhance policy support by establishing well-designed production incentives and investment frameworks to provide clear direction and lower investment risks for the industry before imposing any mandatory measures.
The fourth is to build a sufficiently supplied and commercially viable SAF market to ensure the financial and economic sustainability of the aviation industry. The establishment of a "Book & Claim" mechanism is crucial for expanding the SAF market from regional to global, allowing airlines and SAF producers to participate regardless of location.
"The SAF market must be built on unified standards in order to establish long-term effective rules and a fair competitive system."
According to IATA’s April 2026 passenger survey, there is strong and sustained support among passengers for decarbonization measures in air transport.
The survey shows 89% of respondents believe that even if governments reduce efforts to cut emissions, the aviation industry should continue to push for emissions reduction. The same proportion of respondents felt that air transport is indispensable, and should strive for greater sustainability instead of restricting flying activities.
The survey also found that about 66% of passengers are willing to pay higher fees to offset carbon emissions, while nearly 88% of passengers anticipate that ticket prices will increase as a result of investments in sustainable measures.