Response to Government support for a UK SAF revenue certainty mechanism

September 4th, 2023

Commenting on the announcement today by Government that it will introduce a revenue certainty scheme to support UK SAF production, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, said:

 

“Aviation connectivity is critical to the success of the UK and SAF is an important technology in our net zero arsenal. It is a proven way of driving aviation emissions down – particularly for long-haul – and will make the biggest contribution to aviation decarbonisation to 2050. Industry has long been calling for a policy that directly incentivises investment in the initial UK SAF plants.

 

 “We need the right mechanism though – with Government acting as the underwriter – and UK airlines look forward to engaging in the consultation and agreeing the details of a scheme as quickly as possible, to ensure we meet the Government commitment of having 5 plants under construction by 2025. 

 

“Ultimately, the end goal must be more and cheaper SAF, to avoid spiralling price increases for passengers and to ensure we meet the SAF mandate, without relying wholly on imports or suppliers simply buying out of their obligations. This means Government also introducing incentives to close the price gap between SAF and fossil jet fuel – as they have done in the US and EU – and ensuring airlines have access to enough HEFA-based SAF – the only commercially available SAF today – until enough second generation fuel can be produced by domestic plants here in the UK.”