AAPA chief calls on energy sector to step up on SAF

Airlines have deep demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but the energy industry needs to invest in capacity to ensure a sufficient supply. Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, argues that investments in SAF infrastructure are urgently needed to ensure sufficient quantities of SAF are produced to help airlines reduce emissions.<br/>“Achieving sustainability goals is critical to the future success of the international air transport sector and its continuing role as an agent for social and economic development,” says Menon. “Extreme weather events and record temperatures in 2023 nearing global warming thresholds set by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, are a clarion call for all industry players, especially governments and fuel suppliers, to step up efforts on sustainability, and to ensure that aviation is able to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.” Menon made the remarks to media at the AAPA 67th Assembly of Presidents that is taking place in Singapore. Menon adds that the airline sector is “agnostic” as to what feedstocks go into making SAF, as this depends on the local situation. SAF can be produced anywhere, but feedstocks differ between geographies. “We have fossil fuels that can only be tapped in certain parts of the world, whereas when you talk about feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuels, they are found everywhere.” He gives the examples of municipal waste, agricultural residue, and forestry residue. These are available in all parts of the world in different quantities. “But we need the refineries and we don’t have enough,” says Menon. “We need the oil majors who have the wherewithal and skillsets to provide the transition. We need them to come into the game, and we need governments to give the necessary support framework in terms of the incentives and subsidies to make this dream a reality.”<br/>