Summary
- The UK’s new SAF mandates aim for 10% SAF by 2030 and 22% by 2040 to push towards net-zero aviation.
- The mandatory introduction to power-to-liquid fuels by 2028 will promote innovation for sustainable aviation.
- Wizz Air embraces SAF mandates and invests in biofuel production, aiming to lead in sustainable aviation.
The United Kingdom’s government recently instituted new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates in legislation, which are set to take effect by the start of next year. These extensive restrictions aim to both develop the nation’s biofuel footprint and force carriers to adjust their business models to support the increased use of SAF.
The new mandates aim to push the industry towards net-zero status, a goal that, although decades away, still requires careful planning and action today. One airline, which has consistently proven itself to be a leader in sustainability, has welcomed the latest legislation with open arms.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Ultra-low-cost carrier Wizz Air, which won the 2023 Centre for Aviation award for most sustainable airline globally, has been quick to express its excitement at the announcement of the new SAF mandates. In this article, we will examine these new SAF mandates and what budget airline Wizz Air has done and will continue to do to support sustainable aviation on a global scale.
The mandates themselves
According to S&P Global, the UK government has confirmed a high 10% SAF target for all flights departing from the nation by the end of the decade and has set an even more ambitious goal of 22% SAF by 2040. These targets are similar to those enforced by the European Union’s latest SAF blending mandates, but the markets have considered them more ambitious due to their higher thresholds.
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The United Kingdom’s SAF production network will need to grow to meet the nation’s anticipated demand for sustainable fuels, bringing jobs to this renewable sector. This mandate also includes a cap on the amount of feedstock and fatty acids that can be used in the development of SAF, encouraging players in the industry to innovate and introduce new eco-friendly technologies.
Furthermore, the new legislation also requires the introduction of power-to-liquid fuels from 2028 onwards, which will ideally eliminate many of SAF’s harmful byproducts. As a result, the United Kingdom’s mandates could be set to establish the nation as a leader in sustainable aviation.
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Many budget carriers are keen to increase the amount of SAF they use but face logistical difficulties in doing so.
Wizz Air’s response
Wizz Air is welcoming the latest SAF mandates to better leverage its network and satisfy its demands for biofuels in the coming years. The airline has already invested heavily in Firefly, a UK-based biofuel producer, and remains committed to working with government regulators and industry players to meet any additional environmental mandates.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The carrier’s leadership team is undeniably excited by this opportunity to continue developing sustainable technologies. In a statement, Yvonne Moynihan, the airline’s primary ESG Officer, had the following words to share:
“We welcome the UK SAF mandate recently introduced by the UK Government, which aligns with Wizz Air’s aspiration to power its flights with 10% SAF by 2030. It is important that policymakers hold the industry accountable, so we have a collective goal of reducing emissions as an industry.”
Moynihan continued to discuss Wizz Air’s longtime position as a leader in SAF usage and its ongoing investment in sustainable fuels. The carrier primarily believes that increased oversight from the United Kingdom’s government could help ensure that SAF prices remain stable and prevent supply shocks from destabilizing the industry.
