Summer Travel Fuel Crisis Boosts Interest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel
9 reported
A single-source report from Wired describes how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has disrupted global jet fuel supplies, leading to canceled summer travel plans and renewed attention on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Vancouver-based aviation analyst Mark Miller canceled his family’s trip to Rome after reports indicated European fuel supplies could run low by late June. The supply shortage has spread to the U.S., with American Airlines suspending some domestic routes in August and September due to rising jet fuel prices. Airlines including United, Delta, American, and Cathay Pacific are now using SAF, which can cut emissions by up to 80 percent but typically costs two to five times more than regular jet fuel. United Airlines’ chief sustainability officer Lauren Riley noted that conventional jet fuel is now twice as expensive, making SAF more competitive than ever. However, SAF production faces bottlenecks including scarce raw materials and complex infrastructure, with global use below 1 percent of total jet fuel consumption. World Energy, a major SAF producer, ended production last year to focus resources elsewhere, though United formed a consortium in April to scale production.
What’s reported
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply flows.
The closure depleted strategic jet fuel reserves in the UK, Germany, and France.
An American Airlines spokesperson told USA Today on Thursday that it would temporarily suspend several domestic routes in August and September due to rising jet fuel prices.
SAF can cut emissions by up to 80 percent but costs two to five times the price of regular jet fuel.
United Airlines, Delta, American, and Cathay Pacific are among carriers now using SAF.
United Airlines chief sustainability officer Lauren Riley said conventional jet fuel is twice as expensive going into summer, making SAF the closest to parity ever seen.
World Energy ended SAF production last year “as part of an overall effort to better focus company resources.”
In April, United formed a consortium with Microsoft, DSV, and Phillips 66 to scale production and unlock 11 million gallons of SAF.
Global SAF use is below 1 percent of total jet fuel consumption.
Key figures
Mark Miller, Vancouver-based aviation analyst and CBC News commentator
Lauren Riley, chief sustainability officer for United Airlines
Joseph Ran, vice president of asset optimization for World Energy
Scott Lewis, president of World Energy’s Net-Zero Services group
Sources: Wired
