Key Takeaways
• Rolls-Royce engines are certified to run on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) since 2023.
• UK and EU mandates require increasing SAF blending in aviation fuel from 2% in 2025 to 70% by 2050.
• SAF can reduce carbon emissions up to 80%, but supply and cost challenges remain significant.
Rolls-Royce CEO: Only Sustainable Aviation Fuel Can Decarbonize Long-Haul Flights
Rolls-Royce, a global leader in aircraft engine manufacturing, has taken a strong stance on the future of aviation and climate change. In June 2025, CEO Tufan Erginbilgic made it clear: only Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can deliver the deep decarbonization needed for long-haul flights in the near and mid-term. This message comes as the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and European Union 🇪🇺 introduce new rules requiring airlines and fuel suppliers to use more SAF, marking a major shift in how the aviation industry tackles its carbon footprint.
What’s Happening and Why It Matters
The aviation industry faces growing pressure to cut carbon emissions. Long-haul flights—those that travel great distances—are especially hard to decarbonize because they need powerful engines and lots of fuel. While electric and hydrogen-powered planes are being developed, experts agree these technologies won’t be ready for long-distance flights for many years.
Rolls-Royce’s CEO, Tufan Erginbilgic, has repeatedly said that Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the only practical way to cut emissions from long-haul flights right now. SAF is made from renewable sources like used cooking oil, plant waste, and even some types of household trash. When compared to regular jet fuel, SAF can reduce net carbon emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Key Developments:
- Rolls-Royce has tested and approved 100% SAF use in all its current civil aircraft engines.
- The UK and EU now require airlines and fuel suppliers to blend a minimum amount of SAF into their fuel supply.
- Industry partnerships, like the one between Rolls-Royce and Shell, are pushing for faster SAF adoption.
Let’s break down what this means for airlines, passengers, fuel suppliers, and the future of flying.
Rolls-Royce’s Commitment: 100% SAF Compatibility
By the end of 2023, Rolls-Royce completed a major milestone: all its in-production civil aero engines can run on 100% SAF. This includes both ground and flight tests on the Trent and Pearl engine families. There are no technical barriers left—the engines are ready. This achievement supports the company’s claim that SAF is the only near-term solution for decarbonizing long-haul aviation.
What is SAF?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a type of jet fuel made from renewable sources. Unlike regular jet fuel, which comes from crude oil, SAF can be produced from things like:
- Used cooking oil
- Animal fats
- Plant waste
- Some types of household waste
SAF can be blended with regular jet fuel or, as Rolls-Royce has shown, used on its own in the latest engines.
Why is this important?
According to IATA, using SAF can cut net carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to regular jet fuel. This is a huge step toward the aviation industry’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
New Rules: SAF Mandates in the UK and EU
Starting January 1, 2025, both the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and European Union 🇪🇺 have put in place new rules that require a certain percentage of aviation fuel to be SAF. These rules are designed to force the industry to use more sustainable fuel and help meet climate targets.
UK SAF Mandate
- Came into force: January 1, 2025
- Who must comply: Fuel suppliers providing at least 15.9 terajoules (about 468,000 litres) per year
- Requirements:
- 2% SAF in 2025
- 10% SAF by 2030
- 22% SAF by 2040
Suppliers must prove their SAF meets strict sustainability and emissions standards. They receive certificates for compliance, which can be traded or used to meet their obligations.
EU ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation
- Effective date: January 1, 2025
- Requirements:
- 2% SAF at EU airports in 2025
- 70% SAF by 2050
- Sub-targets for synthetic fuels: 0.7% in 2030, 35% by 2050
These rules are part of a broader push to make flying greener across Europe 🇪🇺.
For more details on the EU’s SAF rules, visit the European Commission’s ReFuelEU Aviation page.
How SAF Compliance Works: Step-by-Step
For Fuel Suppliers:
- Blend SAF into aviation fuel to meet the required percentage.
- Ensure SAF meets sustainability standards (for example, it must reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular fuel).
- Submit documentation to the Department for Transport (UK) or the relevant EU authority.
- Receive Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates based on the amount of emissions reduced.
- Use certificates to prove compliance or trade them with other suppliers.
For Airlines:
- Buy fuel from compliant suppliers.
- Track and report SAF usage as required by regulators.
This system is designed to make sure everyone in the supply chain is doing their part to cut emissions.
Industry Partnerships and Market Growth
Rolls-Royce is not working alone. The company has teamed up with Shell and other major energy companies to speed up the use of SAF. Their partnership includes the SAFinity service, which helps business aviation customers use more SAF, and joint efforts to get 100% SAF certified as a “drop-in” solution (meaning it can be used in existing engines and infrastructure without changes).
Market Growth:
- SAF production is expected to double by 2025 to 200,000 metric tons, but this is still only 0.7% of global aviation fuel use.
- Supplied SAF volumes doubled to 1 million tons in 2024 compared to 2023, thanks to new mandates in the UK and EU.
- Rolls-Royce estimates that highly efficient gas turbines running on 100% SAF could deliver around 80% of the emissions reductions needed for net-zero aviation by 2050.
Despite these gains, supply is still far below what’s needed for the industry to meet its climate goals.
The Cost of Going Green
Switching to SAF is not cheap. IATA projects that using more SAF will increase global aviation fuel costs by $4.4 billion due to its higher price compared to regular jet fuel. This could mean higher ticket prices for passengers, at least in the short term.
Why is SAF more expensive?
– Limited supply: There aren’t enough SAF production plants yet.
– Feedstock constraints: Most SAF today is made from waste oils and fats, which are limited in supply.
– New technology: SAF production methods are still being scaled up.
Industry leaders, including IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh, have called for more investment and policy support to bring down costs and increase supply.
Technical and Regulatory Challenges
While Rolls-Royce has shown that its engines can run on 100% SAF, there are still some hurdles before this becomes common in commercial flights:
- Certification: Right now, ASTM International (the body that sets fuel standards) only allows up to 50% SAF blending with regular jet fuel. Rolls-Royce’s successful tests are expected to help change this rule in the future.
- Supply chain: Airlines and fuel suppliers must adjust their systems to handle more SAF.
- Reporting and compliance: Both airlines and suppliers must keep detailed records to prove they are meeting the new rules.
Multiple Perspectives: What Stakeholders Are Saying
Rolls-Royce: The company is clear—SAF is the only scalable solution for long-haul decarbonization in the near term. Rolls-Royce is also investing in hydrogen and electric technologies, but these are not expected to be ready for long-haul flights before 2040.
IATA: The airline industry’s main trade group supports SAF as the best tool for reaching net-zero by 2050. However, IATA warns that current production levels are far too low and that costs must come down for SAF to make a real difference.
Shell and Other Energy Companies: These companies are working with engine makers to increase SAF production and certification. However, they point out that feedstock and infrastructure limitations could slow progress.
Policy Analysts: Experts note that most SAF today comes from HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids), which uses waste oils and fats. This feedstock is limited, so the industry will need to find new sources and technologies to keep growing.
Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?
- 2010s–2020s: SAF development speeds up, with early test flights and more investment in research.
- 2021: Rolls-Royce promises to make all its in-production civil engines compatible with 100% SAF by 2023.
- 2023: Rolls-Royce completes 100% SAF testing on all in-production engines.
- 2024–2025: The UK and EU bring in new SAF mandates, starting a new era for aviation decarbonization.
Looking Ahead: The Future of SAF and Aviation Decarbonization
Certification of 100% SAF: Rolls-Royce’s successful tests are expected to help regulators approve 100% SAF use in commercial flights soon.
Production Scaling: Hundreds of new SAF plants are planned worldwide, but delays and feedstock shortages could slow growth.
Hydrogen and Electrification: Rolls-Royce and partners are investing in hydrogen fuel systems, but these are not expected to work for long-haul flights before 2040.
Policy Evolution: Governments are likely to keep raising SAF blending targets and adjusting rules to help the industry meet climate goals.
What This Means for You
For Airlines: Airlines flying in the UK and EU must now use more SAF, which means changing how they buy and use fuel. This could also affect ticket prices and flight planning.
For Fuel Suppliers: Suppliers must blend more SAF, prove its sustainability, and keep detailed records to meet new rules. They can trade compliance certificates to help balance supply and demand.
For Passengers: SAF use is expected to make flying greener, but it may also lead to higher ticket prices in the short term as the industry adjusts.
For Engine Manufacturers: With Rolls-Royce’s 100% SAF compatibility, engine makers have removed a major technical barrier. The focus now shifts to scaling up supply and getting full regulatory approval.
Practical Steps for Compliance
If you’re involved in the aviation industry, here’s what you need to do:
- Fuel Suppliers: Start blending SAF now, keep records, and apply for compliance certificates.
- Airlines: Work with suppliers to ensure your fuel meets new SAF requirements and report usage as required.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources like the UK Department for Transport and the European Commission for the latest rules and guidance.
Final Thoughts
The message from Rolls-Royce and its CEO is clear: Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the only way to decarbonize long-haul flights in the near and mid-term. The company’s achievement of 100% SAF compatibility removes a major technical hurdle, but challenges remain in scaling up production, lowering costs, and updating regulations. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the new mandates in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and European Union 🇪🇺 are already driving change, but the road to net-zero aviation will require continued investment, innovation, and cooperation across the industry.
For more technical and policy updates on SAF and aviation decarbonization, visit the Rolls-Royce Sustainability page.
Takeaway: If you’re part of the aviation world—whether as an airline, fuel supplier, or passenger—expect to see more Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the years ahead. It’s a key part of the journey to cleaner skies and a more sustainable future for global travel.
Learn Today
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) → Jet fuel made from renewable sources like waste oils reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Decarbonization → The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to combat climate change in industries.
ASTM International → Organization that sets global technical standards, including fuel blending limits like SAF in jet fuel.
Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates → Certificates awarded to fuel suppliers proving SAF compliance and emissions reductions.
Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) → A common type of SAF made from waste oils and fats used in aviation fuel.
This Article in a Nutshell
Rolls-Royce proves 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel use possible, supporting UK and EU mandates pushing greater SAF adoption to decarbonize long-haul flights effectively and meet climate goals.
— By VisaVerge.com
