Did You Know? How Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is Changing the Way We Fly

Air travel connects people and cultures, but it also creates carbon emissions. In recent years, the aerospace industry has started to search for ways to reduce its environmental impact. One of the most promising solutions is Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF for short.

This new type of fuel is gaining attention around the world because it can reduce emissions without needing to change the way planes are built or operated. Let’s take a closer look at why SAF matters, how it works, and what the future may look like.

What Is SAF, and Why Do We Need It?

For decades, airplanes have used jet fuel made from crude oil. This fuel works well, but it releases a lot of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. As concerns about climate change grow, the aviation sector is under pressure to become more environmentally friendly.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is made from renewable sources such as:
– Used cooking oil
– Agricultural waste
– Algae
– Forestry leftovers
– Even household trash in some advanced projects

The main idea is that, because these sources are part of the natural carbon cycle, SAF can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to regular jet fuel. It’s not perfect, but it’s a big improvement.

A Smooth Transition: No Need to Change the Aircraft

One of the best things about SAF is that it works in today’s planes. Airlines don’t need to design new engines or build new airports to use it. In fact, SAF can be blended with regular fuel in different ratios—currently up to 50%—and used right away.

This makes SAF a very attractive option for companies that want to go green without waiting years for new technology to become ready.

Cem Tahsin Yücer’s Perspective: A Researcher’s View

According to Cem Tahsin Yücer, who has worked on the environmental and technical evaluation of SAF in European contexts, “SAF is a bridge between today’s technology and tomorrow’s sustainable solutions.”

In one of his studies, he emphasized that SAF is not just about emissions, but also about energy security, local economic benefits, and building a flexible fuel future for aviation.

His work also points out that life cycle assessment (LCA) is essential. It’s not enough for SAF to be low-carbon at take-off—it needs to be low-carbon from the farm, the factory, and the fuel truck as well. This is why transparency and proper certification are so important.

Who Is Using SAF Today?

SAF is no longer a lab experiment. It’s being used in real flights around the world.

Some examples include:
– KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: They’ve been using SAF for years on selected flights from Amsterdam.
– United Airlines: Operated the first commercial flight using 100% SAF in one engine in 2021.
– Airbus: Their goal is to make all aircraft SAF-compatible by 2030.
– Lufthansa: Invested in SAF to fuel some of its business-class long-haul flights.
– Airports like Heathrow and LAX: Are beginning to add SAF to their regular fuel supply.

Each flight using SAF is a small but meaningful step toward reducing aviation’s climate impact.

Challenges Still in the Air

Even though SAF sounds like a great idea, there are still several problems to solve:

1. Cost
   SAF is currently more expensive than regular jet fuel—sometimes up to five times more. This makes it harder for airlines to use it on a large scale.

2. Limited Supply
   Right now, SAF only makes up about 0.1% to 0.2% of all aviation fuel. To meet climate goals, production needs to increase 100 times or more in the next few decades.

3. Feedstock Limitations
   We can’t use food crops to make SAF, because that would compete with food supply. So, only waste materials and non-edible plants are allowed, which limits what can be used.

4. Certification and Safety
   SAF must be tested and approved before it can be used in planes. That process takes time and money, especially for new fuel types.

Yücer points out that these challenges are serious but solvable: “With the right public policies and industry cooperation, SAF can move from a niche option to a standard solution.”

What’s Next? A Look Into the Future

SAF is part of a bigger movement toward sustainable aviation. Other technologies—like electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and lightweight composite materials—are also being explored. But for now, SAF is the only available solution that can reduce emissions on long-haul flights.

In the coming years, we may see:
– More public investments in SAF production facilities.
– Blending mandates, requiring airlines to use a certain percentage of SAF.
– Technological improvements that lower production costs.
– Broader public awareness of aviation’s climate impact, encouraging greener travel choices.

Yücer also suggests that SAF might play a key role in space applications, especially for reusable launch systems where liquid fuels are still needed.

Conclusion

The aviation industry is at a crossroads. It must continue to connect the world, but do so in a way that respects the planet. Sustainable Aviation Fuel offers a practical way forward—one that works with current aircraft and brings significant emissions savings.

It’s not a silver bullet, and challenges remain. But with continued research, public support, and industry investment, SAF can help ensure that the skies stay open—not just for people, but for a cleaner future too.

Sources:

– Cem Tahsin Yücer, Life Cycle Assessment of SAF in EU Aviation, 2023
– Airbus – Sustainable Fuel Strategies and Goals
– ICAO – CORSIA and SAF Certification Framework
– IATA – The Future of Sustainable Fuel in Commercial Aviation
– Xometry – New Frontiers in Aerospace Fuel Technology