Research finds the public are enthusiastic about sustainable aviation fuel

The results found that 90% of Brits were unaware that SAF is already in commercial use whilst 44% would actively seek out flights using SAF.

Research to support the UK’s Jet Zero Council, a partnership between government, industry and academia focused on reducing aviation emissions, has found that the public are open to the prospect of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and would pay more for flights in planes powered by SAF.

SAF is a much more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels, made from waste materials including used cooking oil, wood waste, waste gases from industries, agricultural waste, and even household rubbish. When used, it emits 50 – 80% less carbon dioxide than traditional jet fuel and is an important stepping stone towards the zero-emissions flight of the future.

Jonathon Counsell, Chair, Jet Zero Council SAF Delivery Group said:

When you see news stories about the future fuels of aeroplanes, it often comes with a heavy dose of cynicism. There’s this false idea that SAF is made from fresh crops that we could have eaten, or that, because it isn’t 100% zero-emissions, it’s pointless pursuing. This is totally wrong.

Zero-emissions flights, using batteries and hydrogen, are a few years away yet, but SAF is already in use, diverting waste streams and turning them into an alternative jet fuel that lowers the carbon emissions of flights is a critical step in cleaning up the environmental impact of flying.

It’s fantastic to see that the public is so receptive to SAF when presented with the facts; what it’s made of and what it does to reduce environmentally damaging emissions.

It’s not always the case that flights powered by SAF would be more expensive than those powered by traditional fossil fuels, but the fact that the general public would be willing to pay more is a really strong indicator of the enthusiasm. The Jet Zero Council members are keen to get the message out there and let the people know what SAF is, how it’s being used, and why it’s so important.

Find out more about the work the Jet Zero Council is doing.

Read the press release.

This research was commissioned by Innovate UK Business Connect and delivered by Energy PR. The Government has not been involved in the production of this report and its findings do not represent government policy.