European Aviation Pushes for Enhanced Support of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and e-SAF Initiatives

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GreenAir News – Reporting on aviation and the environment

News Headlines

• European aviation stakeholders are calling for priority policy support for e-SAF in the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal.
• New Spark and Norsk are launching e-SAF projects centered on low-cost renewable energy.
• The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is advocating for stricter international CO2 standards for aircraft as fuel efficiency improvements have stagnated.
• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established a global investment hub dedicated to aviation sustainability and cleaner fuel projects.
• Thales, Amelia, and Breakthrough have conducted the largest live contrail avoidance trial to date.
• Sustainable aviation financier SkiesFifty has invested in a US waste-to-SAF venture and initiatives for ocean carbon removals.
• Airbus has postponed the launch of its ZEROe hydrogen aircraft, while the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) expands its hydrogen program.
• A coalition of European aviation stakeholders is urging increased support for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to meet EU climate targets.

COMMENTARY: The industry emphasizes the need to bridge the policy gap between hydrogen and e-SAF in both the UK and EU. Additionally, there is an urgent call for accelerating Net Zero initiatives, as the costs associated with decarbonizing European aviation are projected to rise significantly.

News Roundup January/February 2025

• Wizz Air has successfully completed an operational SAF trial, although a survey indicates that passenger awareness of SAF remains limited.

Latest News & Features

1. New Spark and Norsk e-SAF projects focus on low-cost renewable energy (18 February 2025)
   Emerging European energy companies have announced plans to produce synthetic aviation fuel (e-SAF) at new manufacturing facilities utilizing low-cost renewable energy sources.

2. ICAO formalizes global investment hub for aviation sustainability and cleaner fuel projects (14 February 2025)
   The ICAO has launched the Finvest Hub, a platform designed to connect aviation sustainability projects with potential investors.

3. Sustainable aviation financier SkiesFifty invests in US waste-to-SAF venture and ocean carbon removals (12 February 2025)
   SkiesFifty is partnering with Frontline BioEnergy to advance the commercialization of innovative waste-to-SAF technologies.

4. European aviation coalition urges greater support for SAF to achieve EU climate targets (10 February 2025)
   A coalition of six aviation industry groups has issued warnings regarding potential shortfalls in European-produced SAF and the need for increased production efforts.

5. Wizz Air completes operational SAF trial, as survey shows limited passenger awareness of SAF (31 January 2025)
   The airline’s successful trial highlights the need for better communication regarding SAF to passengers.

6. UK government backs airport expansion while pledging to meet climate obligations (30 January 2025)
   The UK government has committed to support airport expansion plans while also ensuring adherence to climate responsibilities.

7. IAG makes strategic investment in UK project planning to produce SAF from recycled tyres (29 January 2025)
   International Airlines Group (IAG) is investing in a project aimed at generating SAF from recycled materials.

8. Heathrow extends SAF incentive scheme as government set to back airport expansion (21 January 2025)
   Heathrow Airport is continuing its incentive program to promote the use of SAF among airlines.

9. Progress on decarbonizing the airline sector has been slow this year, says IATA chief (20 December 2024)
   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a lack of significant advancements in the decarbonization of the airline industry.

10. EASA releases status report on Europe’s SAF production and readiness to meet blending targets (19 December 2024)
    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a report detailing the current state of SAF production in Europe and its alignment with blending targets.

Upcoming Events

• World Sustainable Aviation Fuel Forum: 26-27 February 2025, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• ALTA Fuel & Sustainability Conference: 25-27 March 2025, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Copenhagen Contrails Conference: 25-26 March 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
• IATA Aviation Energy Forum: 13-15 May 2025, Baku, Azerbaijan
• Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress: 6-8 May 2025, Amsterdam, Netherlands

For more details on these events and other news, please visit GreenAir News.
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