{"id":121211,"date":"2025-11-18T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=121211"},"modified":"2025-11-18T05:04:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T23:34:37","slug":"uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/18\/uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines\/","title":{"rendered":"This Asian Country Prepares to Introduce SAF Mandate for Airlines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI\u2014<\/strong> The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is advancing plans to make sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandatory for its carriers, according to Sharif\u202fAl\u202fOlama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, Emirates (EK)<\/a> and Etihad Airways (EY)<\/a> operate under a \u201csoft requirement\u201d that encourages them to use one percent of SAF by 2031, but the government now aims to move to a compulsory mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"UAE
Photo: Dubai Airshow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UAE Eyes SAF Mandate for Airlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Al\u202fOlama revealed the shift ahead of a meeting of the UAE government\u2019s SAF & Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) Executive Committee held alongside Airbus at the Dubai Airshow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Aviation Week<\/a>, He said the earlier voluntary policy was introduced to measure the national airlines\u2019 willingness and test market readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transition from voluntary to mandatory SAF use reflects a more assertive stance by the UAE government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al\u202fOlama said policymakers are now assessing how a mandate would affect airline operations and how added costs might ultimately be passed on to passengers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government is seeking a careful balance: promoting sustainability while protecting the financial health of its national carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"UAE
Photo: Dubai Airshow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UAE’s Production Ambition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite its cautious policy rollout, the UAE remains deeply committed to rapidly scaling SAF production. Al\u202fOlama described the country as \u201cready to hit the ground running\u201d and stressed its capacity to drive the global transition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of that strategy involves a proposed SAF production plant in Hong\u202fKong (HKG)<\/a>, in partnership with UK-based Chinook Hydrogen. If successful, Al\u202fOlama envisions it serving as a model for similar domestic facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestically, the UAE is already making tangible progress. A SAF plant is under development in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), backed by MENA Biofuels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It aims to process used cooking oil and waste to produce certified SAF in quantities aligned with the country\u2019s 2030 roadmap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase I of the project, costing US$200\u202fmillion<\/strong>, will yield 125\u202fmillion litres annually \u2014 roughly 18\u202fpercent of the UAE\u2019s 2030 target \u2014 and a second phase will double that production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cost Implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Implementing a SAF mandate could raise the cost of airline operations, since SAF remains more expensive than conventional jet fuel. Al\u202fOlama acknowledged that the government is cautious about how these costs could affect ticket prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He emphasized that further studies are underway to understand and mitigate any financial burden on airlines \u2014 and by extension, passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond domestic goals, the UAE sees itself as a global leader in the sustainable aviation transition. By investing in SAF infrastructure and innovation, Al\u202fOlama argued that the country can influence international SAF adoption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He described the UAE\u2019s approach as pragmatic but ambitious \u2014 combining market incentives, production scale, and regulatory action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Airbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UAE is poised to shift from a voluntary SAF policy to a mandatory mandate for its airlines, signaling a major step in its environmental strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a 1\u202fpercent voluntary target already in place for 2031, the government is now studying the economic and operational impact of making SAF use compulsory. At the same time, it is scaling up domestic production through a SAF plant in Fujairah and exploring international collaborations like a proposed facility in Hong Kong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move underscores the UAE\u2019s ambition to lead globally in sustainable aviation, balancing green goals with economic realities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
KLM Operates Most Sustainable Flight from Amsterdam to Singapore<\/a><\/blockquote>