Heathrow to Surpass UK SAF Mandate with New £80 Million Airline Incentive

Heathrow Leads Global SAF Adoption

Heathrow Airport is increasing its carbon-cutting efforts for the fifth year. The airport set a new goal for 2026. It wants 5.6% of its fuel to be Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This target is 2% higher than the UK government's mandate of 3.6%.

This move is part of a larger plan. Heathrow wants to be a leader in clean flying. In 2024, the airport used 17% of the world's total SAF supply. This new 2026 goal shows they are not slowing down.

Financial Support for Airlines

To reach this goal, Heathrow is providing over £80 million in support. This money helps airlines cover the high cost of SAF. Currently, SAF is much more expensive than traditional kerosene. The incentive helps bridge that price gap.

By making SAF cheaper, more airlines can afford to use it. This is vital for carriers like Air India and others that operate long-haul flights. These flights use the most fuel and create the most emissions.

Environmental Impact and Net Zero

Using more SAF will have a major impact. Heathrow expects to use 350,000 tonnes of the fuel in 2026. This could cut carbon emissions by 600,000 tonnes. That is like taking nearly one million economy passengers off round-trip flights to New York.

SAF is made from sustainable sources. These include used cooking oil and household waste. It can reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to fossil fuels. This is a key part of the IATA goal to reach net-zero carbon by 2050.

Looking Toward 2030

Heathrow is looking even further ahead. The airport wants to reach 11% SAF usage by 2030. This would again exceed the UK government's 10% target.

Matt Gorman, Heathrow’s Director of Sustainability, says SAF is making a real impact today. It is not just a plan for the future. The airport's incentive program provides a clear path for the industry. It helps airlines transition to cleaner energy while keeping flights commercially viable.

Industry groups like ICAO are watching these developments closely. Heathrow's success could serve as a model for other major global hubs. As more airports offer incentives, the production of SAF is expected to grow worldwide.

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