Sustainable Aviation
Japan Airlines Launches First Riblet-Coated Aircraft for Greener Skies
Japan Airlines Pioneers Riblet-Coated Aircraft for Sustainable Aviation
In a groundbreaking move, Japan Airlines (JAL), in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and O-Well Corporation, has unveiled the world’s first riblet-coated aircraft set for international service. This innovative technology, inspired by the drag-reducing properties of shark skin, represents a significant leap forward in sustainable aviation. The Boeing 787-9, equipped with this cutting-edge coating, is scheduled to commence operations in mid-January 2025, marking a new era in fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious air travel.
The riblet-shaped coating, applied to most of the aircraft’s fuselage, is designed to minimize aerodynamic drag, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. This initiative aligns with global efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry, which has long been under scrutiny for its environmental impact. By integrating this technology, JAL is setting a new benchmark for innovation and sustainability in aviation, demonstrating how collaboration between industry leaders can drive meaningful change.
This article explores the significance of riblet technology, its development, and its potential to revolutionize the aviation industry. We will delve into the science behind riblets, the collaborative efforts of JAL, JAXA, and O-Well, and the tangible benefits this technology offers for long-haul flights. Additionally, we will examine the broader implications of this innovation for the future of sustainable air travel.
The Science Behind Riblet Technology
Riblet technology draws inspiration from nature, specifically the skin of sharks. Shark skin features microscopic grooves that reduce drag and friction as the animal moves through water. Scientists have long studied this phenomenon, known as the “riblet effect,” and have sought to replicate it in various applications, including aviation. By applying riblet-shaped coatings to aircraft, engineers aim to achieve similar drag-reducing benefits, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
The riblet coating developed by JAL, JAXA, and O-Well uses the innovative Paint-to-Paint Method. Unlike traditional decal or film-based riblet processing, this method integrates riblet shapes directly into the paint film. This approach not only enhances durability but also reduces the weight of the coating, further contributing to fuel savings. Extensive wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations conducted by JAXA have confirmed the drag reduction effects of this technology, particularly on large aircraft like the Boeing 787-9.
One of the key advantages of the Paint-to-Paint Method is its scalability. O-Well’s development of a riblet coating system suitable for larger aircraft has enabled the application to extend to the upper fuselage, maximizing fuel efficiency during long-haul international flights. This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the practical application of riblet technology in commercial aviation.
“The riblet coating reduces drag by 0.24% during cruising, translating to an annual saving of approximately 119 tons of fuel and a reduction of 381 tons of CO2 emissions.” – JAXA
Testing and Advancements in Riblet Technology
The journey toward this milestone began in July 2022, when JAL first tested the durability of the riblet coating on its domestic Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These initial tests confirmed the coating’s resilience under real-world conditions, paving the way for larger-scale applications. By November 2023, the technology had progressed to a full-scale application on the lower fuselage of a Boeing 787-9, where its fuel efficiency benefits were rigorously assessed.
One of the most significant achievements of this collaboration is the successful accumulation of over 1,500 flight hours for the O-Well method aircraft and over 750 flight hours for the Nikon method aircraft. These extensive tests have demonstrated the durability and performance of the riblet coating, providing a solid foundation for its deployment on international routes. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with the coating showing no signs of wear or degradation even after prolonged use.
Looking ahead, JAL, JAXA, and O-Well plan to continue their collaboration to validate the riblet coating’s performance in terms of durability, aesthetics, and fuel efficiency on long-haul international routes. They also aim to expand the scope of the technology’s application, potentially extending it to other aircraft models and further enhancing its impact on sustainable aviation.
Tangible Benefits for Long-Haul Operations
The application of riblet coating to the Boeing 787-9 offers significant benefits for long-haul operations. During cruising, the coating reduces drag by 0.24%, which translates to an annual saving of approximately 119 tons of fuel and a reduction of 381 tons of CO2 emissions. To put this into perspective, the carbon savings are equivalent to the annual CO2 absorption of roughly 27,000 cedar trees.
These savings are particularly impactful for long-haul flights, where fuel consumption is highest. By improving fuel efficiency, the riblet coating not only reduces operational costs for airlines but also contributes to the broader goal of decarbonizing the aviation industry. This technology represents a practical and scalable solution for reducing the environmental impact of air travel, making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the riblet coating also enhances the operational efficiency of aircraft. By reducing drag, the coating allows planes to fly more smoothly, potentially improving passenger comfort and reducing wear and tear on the aircraft. This dual benefit of environmental and operational efficiency makes riblet technology a win-win for airlines and passengers alike.
Conclusion
The introduction of riblet-coated aircraft by Japan Airlines marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable aviation. By leveraging the drag-reducing properties of shark skin, JAL, JAXA, and O-Well have developed a technology that not only improves fuel efficiency but also reduces carbon emissions. This innovation underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the environmental challenges facing the aviation industry.
As the first riblet-coated aircraft prepares to enter international service in January 2025, the aviation industry stands on the brink of a new era. The success of this initiative could pave the way for broader adoption of riblet technology, potentially transforming the way we think about air travel. With continued advancements and collaboration, the dream of greener skies may soon become a reality.
FAQ
What is riblet technology?
Riblet technology is a drag-reducing coating inspired by the microscopic grooves on shark skin. It is applied to aircraft to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
How does the riblet coating improve fuel efficiency?
The riblet coating reduces aerodynamic drag by 0.24% during cruising, leading to significant fuel savings and a reduction in CO2 emissions.
When will the riblet-coated aircraft enter service?
The first riblet-coated Boeing 787-9 is scheduled to commence international operations in mid-January 2025.
Sources: Travel And Tour World
Sustainable Aviation
Singapore Airlines Signs SAF Offtake Deal with Aether Fuels
Singapore Airlines commits to buying SAF from Aether Fuels’ Project Beacon facility in Singapore, due online in 2028.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has finalized a firm purchase agreement to offtake next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Aether Fuels, becoming the first carrier to commit to the upcoming Project Beacon production facility in Singapore.
Announced in a joint press release on 28 October 2026, the agreement transitions a previous memorandum of understanding into a binding contract. The deal secures future fuel volumes to support the airline’s target of replacing 5 percent of its total fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
Transitioning from framework to firm commitment
The 28 October 2026 announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies on 4 February 2025. That initial framework outlined the airline’s intention to procure neat SAF for a five-year period, with an option to extend for an additional five years, once Aether commenced commercial production.
While the companies confirmed the transition to a firm offtake agreement, the exact fuel volumes and financial terms were not disclosed in the release.
Project Beacon and the Aurora technology
Aether Fuels, a climate technology firm incubated and funded in 2022 by Temasek-backed deep tech venture firm Xora, officially launched Project Beacon on 11 November 2025. The project is a partnership with Aster, a joint venture between Indonesian chemical and infrastructure company Chandra Asri and commodities trader Glencore.
The commercial-scale SAF facility will be located at Aster’s refining hub on Pulau Bukom in Asia-Pacific in Singapore. Aster acquired this site from Shell to develop a dedicated sustainable fuels footprint. Construction of the facility is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Once operational in 2028, Project Beacon is projected to produce 50 barrels per day, equating to approximately 2,000 tons of SAF annually. The plant will utilize Aether’s proprietary Aurora technology to produce Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). According to Aether Fuels, this pathway is expected to deliver a minimum 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
De-risking commercial scale-up
The firm offtake agreement follows a critical technical milestone for Aether Fuels. On 29 September 2026, the company announced the successful operation of a fully integrated demonstration line at RTI International in North America.
The 2.5 barrel-per-day system combined Aether’s Aurora Tri-Converter and Upgrader units with an existing Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The demonstration successfully converted renewable natural gas derived from landfill gas and captured industrial carbon dioxide into synthetic aviation fuel meeting ASTM D7566 specifications. This successful run provided the engineering data required to de-risk the design and scale-up of the Project Beacon facility ahead of its construction phase.
Singapore’s SAF ecosystem and airline targets
The aviation industry is increasingly reliant on SAF to meet decarbonization targets, but feedstock availability remains a primary bottleneck. Aether’s FT-SPK pathway addresses this by utilizing industrial waste gases and biomethane, bypassing the constrained agricultural and lipid-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, that dominate current SAF production.
The agreement aligns with broader regional regulatory shifts. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has mandated a SAF levy for flights departing Singapore starting in 2026 to fund centralized SAF procurement. Singapore Airlines, which operates a fleet with an average age of under eight years, has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
AirPro News analysis
We view this firm offtake agreement as a clear indicator of the tightening future market for non-lipid SAF. The aviation sector’s reliance on Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) SAF is running into hard limits regarding used cooking oil and tallow availability. By committing to Aether’s FT-SPK product before the Project Beacon facility has even broken ground, Singapore Airlines is moving aggressively to lock in alternative feedstock pathways.
This early commitment is necessary for airlines aiming to meet 2030 mandates. The lead times for financing, constructing, and scaling novel waste-to-fuel facilities span several years, meaning airlines cannot wait for commercial production to begin before securing their supply lines.
Photo Credit: Aether Fuels
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
Sustainable Aviation
EU Exceeds 2025 SAF Mandate at 2.79 Percent Blend Rate
EASA reports EU airports hit 2.79% SAF blend in 2025, surpassing the 2% ReFuelEU mandate with 1.1M tonnes supplied.
The European Union surpassed its initial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate in 2025, with SAF accounting for 2.79 percent of all jet fuel supplied to EU airports during the first mandatory reporting year.
According to the 2026 ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 17, 2026, fuel suppliers delivered 1.1 million tonnes of SAF against a total aviation fuel supply of 39.3 million tonnes. The 2.79 percent blend rate comfortably exceeded the 2 percent minimum required by the ReFuelEU regulation for 2025. This uptake resulted in an estimated reduction of 3.77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are pleased to confirm that the SAF mandate under ReFuelEU Aviation was not only met but exceeded,” EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet stated in the agency’s press release.
Compliance and distribution across European hubs
The EASA report indicates high compliance rates across the sector. Ninety-three percent of aircraft operators and 90 percent of fuel suppliers fulfilled their reporting obligations in 2025. EASA noted that noncompliance among aircraft operators was primarily limited to small business jet operators, nonscheduled carriers, and third-country operators that failed to respond to competent authorities.
SAF distribution reached 121 Airports across all 27 Member States, representing 79 percent of all Union airports. Uptake was heavily concentrated at major European hubs. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) accounted for 29 percent of the tracked SAF supply, followed by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) at 8 percent and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 7 percent.
Supply chain dynamics and feedstock dependencies
While the headline blending figures demonstrate regulatory success, the technical report reveals a structural reliance on imported raw materials. Although 86 percent of the SAF supplied at EU airports was refined domestically within the European Union, 85 percent of the underlying feedstocks originated from outside the bloc.
The primary feedstock utilized was Used Cooking Oil (UCO) processed via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Of the imported feedstocks, 61 percent originated from China, with additional volumes sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia. On the refining side, Neste’s Rotterdam facility alone produced 33 percent of all European SAF in 2025.
AirPro News analysis
The successful implementation of the 2 percent mandate in 2025 proves that the logistical framework for SAF distribution at major European hubs is functional. However, the heavy reliance on Asian Used Cooking Oil presents a long-term vulnerability for European aviation. As the ReFuelEU mandate scales to 6 percent in 2030, the Regulations will also introduce sub-mandates for synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels). With approximately 50 synthetic fuel projects awaiting final investment decisions and no large-scale e-fuel facilities currently operational in Europe, we anticipate significant capital mobilization will be required over the next 36 months to prevent future supply bottlenecks and reduce dependency on imported biomass.
Photo Credit: European Union Aviation Safety Agency
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