Aviation’s emissions inertia is troubling New Zealand’s gateway

The CEO of New Zealand’s main aviation hub, Auckland Airport, said she’s worried about the industry’s lack of progress toward decarbonization as remote destinations grapple with a shortage of low-emissions fuel. Sustainable aviation fuel, aviation’s primary means of cutting pollution, accounted for just 0.3% of global jet-fuel production in 2024, even less than anticipated, the International Air Transport Association said last month. The shortfall has already prompted Air New Zealand Ltd. to publicly ditch its 2030 emissions target, the highest-profile airline to do so. Auckland International Airport Ltd. CEO Carrie Hurihanganui said New Zealand, Australia and neighboring Pacific nations need to address the lack of so-called SAF together. These countries have little alternative to long-haul flying to connect to the world, making them more reliant on SAF than Europe and North America, she said. “I do worry about it,” Hurihanganui said. “New Zealand is a geographically isolated country that relies on exports and an open economy for its wellbeing. Getting access to sustainable aviation fuel production is incredibly important.”<br/>