‘Government should set achievable SAF targets or risk higher passenger prices’

UKPIA is calling on the UK Government to set an achievable target for the amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) used by UK airlines in 2025 or risk higher prices for passengers.
In response to the Government’s consultation on Developing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, UKPIA said that setting a target for SAF above 0.5% as a proportion of jet fuel in 2025 would be unachievable, even according to the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) own modelling of low carbon fuel feedstocks.
While the UK Government accepts that 0.5% is “highly ambitious”, it is considering SAF targets that range from 0.5% to 4% in 2025.
Setting a target above 0.5% in 2025 risks forcing fuel suppliers to make ‘buy out’ payments to Government because they would not be able to supply enough SAF, according to UKPIA. This de facto penalty could be passed to the aviation industry and has the potential to increase prices for passengers.
UKPIA CEO Elizabeth de Jong said: “The Government’s own calculations show that the maximum achievable Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) target in jet fuels is 0.5% by 2025. Setting a higher target would not reduce greenhouse gas emissions any further but could put up prices for the aviation sector and passengers.
“The Government needs to set the target at the right level so that the policy works effectively, and the UK aviation sector does not face potentially higher costs.”