Sustainable Aviation
Emirates and ENOC Partner to Develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Dubai
Emirates and ENOC Group collaborate to explore local Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply with a target to support UAE’s 2031 low-carbon aviation goals.
Emirates and ENOC Group Partner to Explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply in Dubai
In a significant development for the aviation sector within the Middle East, Emirates and the ENOC Group have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at establishing a robust supply chain for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Signed during the Dubai Airshow 2025, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) represents a critical step toward integrating low-carbon fuel solutions directly into the operations of Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international hub. We view this collaboration as a pivotal moment that aligns the operational needs of a major global carrier with the logistical capabilities of a leading integrated energy player.
The agreement brings together two of the United Arab Emirates’ most influential entities: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, and ENOC Group, a global energy provider. The primary objective of this collaboration is to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies. These studies will focus on the infrastructure, supply chains, and local production capabilities required to make SAF a commercially viable reality for the airline. By focusing on local supply, the partnership aims to reduce reliance on imported biofuels and secure a dedicated energy stream for the region’s aviation sector.
This initiative is not merely a corporate agreement but a direct response to the UAE’s broader environmental strategies. The partnership supports the national goal of supplying 1% of fuel to national airlines from locally produced SAF by 2031. As the industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, we see this move as a necessary transition from voluntary demonstration flights to establishing the permanent infrastructure required for consistent daily operations.
Strategic Framework and National Goals
The core of this MoU involves the establishment of a joint steering committee. This body will be responsible for guiding the assessments and navigating the complex logistics of introducing a new fuel type into an established ecosystem. The scope of the agreement covers the entire value chain, from assessing potential local production facilities to determining how the fuel will be blended, stored, and delivered to aircraft. This structured approach ensures that every technical and commercial aspect is evaluated before physical implementation begins.
Contextually, this partnership is anchored in the UAE’s General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The government has set ambitious targets, including a goal to produce 700 million liters of SAF annually by 2030. Furthermore, the region is actively developing a Power-to-Liquid (PtL) roadmap. This strategy seeks to leverage the UAE’s abundant solar energy resources to produce synthetic fuels, positioning the nation as a potential leader in the next generation of clean energy production. The collaboration between Emirates and ENOC is a practical application of these high-level government policies.
For Emirates, securing a supply of SAF at its home base is a strategic priority. While the airline has previously uplifted SAF at various international outstations, including Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Paris, Lyon, and Oslo, establishing a supply line in Dubai is essential for scaling its sustainability efforts. This agreement signals a shift from sporadic international procurement to developing a self-sufficient domestic ecosystem.
“Establishing reliable SAF supply in our Dubai hub is a key priority, and this collaboration allows us to assess the most viable pathways for integration. We recognize there’s significant work ahead to address supply constraints and infrastructure requirements, but partnerships like this are essential to identifying practical solutions.”, Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates
Technical Pathways and Infrastructure Challenges
A major component of the feasibility studies will be the technical integration of SAF into existing airport infrastructure. SAF is known as a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be blended with conventional Jet A-1 fuel, currently up to a limit of 50%, without requiring modifications to aircraft engines or airport fueling systems. However, the logistics of blending and transporting this fuel to the hydrant systems at Dubai International Airport require meticulous planning to ensure safety and efficiency.
The partnership is expected to explore multiple production pathways. In the short term, the focus is likely to be on HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology, which utilizes cooking oil and animal fats. This is currently the most mature and commercially available method for producing biofuels. ENOC Group has already demonstrated activity in this space, having signed agreements to establish SAF production plants in Fujairah and supplying SAF to private aviation sectors during the Airshow.
Looking toward the longer term, the feasibility studies may also encompass Power-to-Liquid (PtL) technologies. PtL involves using renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide to create synthetic kerosene. While this technology is still in developmental stages compared to HEFA, it is viewed by industry experts as the “holy grail” for aviation in arid regions where biomass for traditional biofuels is scarce. We anticipate that the joint steering committee will evaluate the commercial viability of these advanced technologies as part of their roadmap.
“This MoU with Emirates reflects our shared commitment to developing local SAF production and the infrastructure needed to make low-carbon aviation a reality. As the UAE works toward supplying 1% of jet fuel to national airlines from locally produced SAF by 2031, we believe this collaboration brings us a step closer to that goal.”, Hussain Sultan Lootah, Acting CEO, ENOC Group
Concluding Section
The collaboration between Emirates and ENOC Group marks a definitive step toward maturing the sustainable aviation fuel market in the Middle East. By moving beyond simple procurement and focusing on the development of local infrastructure and production, the partnership addresses the core challenges of availability and scalability that have historically hindered the widespread adoption of SAF. The success of this initiative will depend on the findings of the feasibility studies and the subsequent speed at which physical infrastructure can be deployed.
As the 2031 deadline for the UAE’s national SAF targets approaches, the industry will be watching the outcomes of this MoU closely. If successful, this partnership could serve as a blueprint for how national carriers and energy providers can collaborate to de-risk investment in low-carbon technologies. We expect that the results of these studies will likely influence future regulatory frameworks and investment strategies across the region’s aviation and energy sectors.
FAQ
What is the main goal of the partnership between Emirates and ENOC Group?
The primary goal is to conduct feasibility studies to establish a framework for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Emirates’ hub in Dubai, focusing on infrastructure, blending, and local production.
What is the UAE’s target for Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2031?
The UAE government has set a voluntary target to supply 1% of fuel to national airlines at UAE airports using locally produced SAF by 2031.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
SAF is a “drop-in” fuel produced from sustainable resources such as waste oils or synthetic processes. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications to aircraft or engines.
Sources
Photo Credit: Emirates
Sustainable Aviation
Clean Planet Launches Pilot Facility Converting Plastic Waste to Aviation Fuel
Clean Planet Technologies opens a UK pilot facility converting non-recyclable plastic waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel, reducing emissions by over 70%.
This article is based on an official press release from Clean Planet Technologies.
A major breakthrough in tackling both waste plastic and aviation emissions has been marked with the opening of the world’s first waste plastics to SAF (SAF) pilot facility. Operated by Clean Planet Technologies, the new Sustainability Innovation Centre is located at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent. The facility is dedicated to researching and developing new technologies to process non-recyclable plastic waste, beginning with its conversion into jet fuel.
The pilot facility addresses the growing problem of hard-to-recycle waste plastics and the environmental impact of the aviation industry. According to the company’s press release, the UK alone creates 5 million tonnes of waste plastics each year, 80% of which cannot be recycled and is treated as waste. Meanwhile, the world’s commercial aircraft consume 7 to 8 million barrels of jet fuel a day, with less than 1% currently produced from sustainable sources.
Transforming Waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The new pilot facility integrates several stages into a single, controlled system optimized to transform hard-to-recycle plastics into SAF. The process begins with shredding the waste plastics to a uniform size, followed by pyrolysis, where the material is thermocatalytically converted into a synthetic crude oil in an oxygen-free environment. This melts the plastic rather than burning it.
After purification to remove impurities and contaminants, the pyrolysis oil undergoes distillation to separate it into relevant fractions. These fractions are then processed through Clean Planet Technologies’ patented hydroprocessing system, which uses hydrogen to further remove impurities and transform the properties of the product to meet stringent SAF specifications. The resulting ultra-clean, ultra-low sulfur fuel is sent for testing, blending, and evaluation as part of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) qualification pathway.
Reducing the Aviation Industry’s Carbon Footprint
The environmental impact of this technology are significant. According to Clean Planet Technologies, the process cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to traditional fossil jet fuel.
“Our process first heats the waste plastic with a chemical reaction to turn it into a liquid, rather than burning it. This is then treated with our patented process to remove impurities and create SAF that meets stringent commercial aviation specifications,” said Dr. Andrew Odjo, Chief Executive Officer at Clean Planet Technologies.
Dr. Odjo also highlighted the scale of the opportunity, noting that 100,000 commercial flights operate globally every day, while 600,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste plastics enter the environment. The pilot facility aims to demonstrate that this waste can be turned into a premium product with quantifiable commercial demand.
Supporting UK and Global Sustainability Goals
The Sustainability Innovation Centre plays a critical role in bridging the gap between innovation and commercial development. It has been designed to support fuel and feedstock testing, validation, and progression through the ASTM qualification process. The facility has already secured financial support from the Department for Transport-funded UK SAF Clearing House.
We note that the fundamentals of the process,pyrolysis, purification, distillation, and hydroprocessing,are all technologies currently used independently at a commercial scale, which suggests that scaling up the integrated process will not present a significant challenge for the company.
Meeting the UK’s SAF Mandate
The opening of the pilot facility is an important step toward the UK’s ambition to support sustainable aviation and meet its SAF mandate.
“The Sustainability Innovation Centre is set up to demonstrate our patented waste-plastics-to-SAF process at pilot scale, supporting fuel testing, validation and progression. The important thing is that our pilot facility will support the growth of others, helping the UK to meet its SAF mandate,” added Dr. Katerina Garyfalou, Chief Operating Officer at Clean Planet Technologies.
UK government policy to decarbonize aviation fuel states that 2% of UK jet fuel demand must be SAF, increasing to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040.
Addressing Dual Strategic Challenges
Clean Planet Group, founded in 2018, views the new facility as a solution to two pressing global issues. By converting non-recyclable plastics,materials that would otherwise go to landfill or be incinerated,into low-carbon aviation fuel, the facility supports circular economy objectives.
“Our pilot facility addresses two strategic challenges simultaneously: plastic waste management and aviation decarbonisation,” said Clean Planet Group CEO Bertie Stephens.
Stephens noted that the pilot opens up new ways to make sustainable aviation fuel at a time when existing feedstocks, such as energy crops, are becoming harder to secure. It also positions the UK as a leader in turning waste plastics into SAF, supporting UK and European targets, and helping clear the path to commercial-scale plants later this decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
SAF is defined as any renewable or waste-derived aviation fuel that meets specific sustainability criteria. It is considered to have the greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions from international air travel.
How much of the UK’s plastic waste is currently recycled?
According to Clean Planet Technologies, the UK creates 5 million tonnes of waste plastics each year, and 80% of this cannot be recycled and is treated as waste.
How much does the new process reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Clean Planet Technologies states that their process cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to traditional fossil jet fuel.
Sources
Photo Credit: Clean Planet Technologies
Sustainable Aviation
GAMA Proposes EU Investment Plan to Support Sustainable Aviation
GAMA’s 2026 white paper outlines strategies to address capital shortages and regulatory challenges in Europe’s sustainable aviation sector.
Europe certified the world’s first fully electric aircraft, establishing an early lead in the race toward sustainable aviation. However, a severe capital shortage over the past two years has threatened to hollow out the continent’s pioneering eVTOL sector. In response to this critical juncture, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has issued an urgent industrial blueprint.
On April 22, 2026, GAMA released a new white paper titled “Wings of Change: A Strategy for Competitiveness, Innovation, Industry, and Investment in Europe’s Sustainable Aviation Sector.” According to the official press release, the document aims to anchor clean aviation manufacturing, encompassing electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-powered flight, firmly within Europe.
We at AirPro News have reviewed the proposals, which are designed to integrate with the European Union’s ongoing Clean Industrial Deal. The white paper outlines actionable measures to mobilize capital, streamline Regulations, and prevent Europe from losing its competitive edge to heavily subsidized markets in the United States and China.
The European eVTOL Capital Crisis
Recent Insolvencies and Market Turmoil
To understand the urgency of GAMA’s 2026 white paper, it is essential to examine the financial turbulence that has recently shaken the European aerospace sector. GAMA’s press release explicitly warns that insufficient access to capital and limited industrial scale-up support have forced several companies into bankruptcy or relocation.
Industry research highlights the high-profile insolvencies of leading German eVTOL developers in late 2024 and early 2025. Lilium filed for insolvency in October 2024 after failing to secure government loan guarantees, ultimately entering a second bankruptcy phase in February 2025 when rescue funding failed to materialize. Similarly, Volocopter filed for insolvency in December 2024, transitioning to regular insolvency proceedings by March 2025. These events underscore the precarious financial reality for capital-intensive aviation Startups operating without robust state backing.
GAMA’s Blueprint for Recovery
Key Proposals from “Wings of Change”
Building upon a previous white paper published in April 2024, GAMA’s latest strategy outlines specific measures for EU policymakers to support the long development cycles inherent in aircraft manufacturing. According to the press release, the white paper proposes a “One-Stop-Shop” investment platform under the proposed EU Competitiveness Fund. This centralized platform would organize research and development, scale-up, and manufacturing funding from both EU institutions and Member States to attract private investors.
Additionally, GAMA advocates for a shift toward performance-based funding tied directly to technological milestones and aviation Certification progress. The organization also stresses the need for regulatory efficiency at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), calling for a predictable, flat-fee certification structure for electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
To stimulate early market adoption, the white paper recommends integrating environmental criteria into Public Service Obligation (PSO) tenders and directing revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) toward sustainable aviation infrastructure.
“Without stronger Investments frameworks and regulatory backing, Europe risks losing ground in a sector that is making headway in reducing environmental impacts and growing economic opportunity.”
Global Competitiveness and the Clean Industrial Deal
Aligning with EU Strategy
The GAMA proposals arrive as the European Commission continues to roll out its Clean Industrial Deal, introduced in February 2025. Industry reports note that this deal includes an Industrial Decarbonization Bank with a €100 billion budget and an expansion of the InvestEU program. GAMA is actively lobbying to ensure the sustainable aviation sector receives dedicated focus within this broader €100 billion framework.
The white paper has garnered broad consensus across the European sustainable aviation ecosystem. According to the release, it is backed by major legacy manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and startups, including France’s Safran and Daher, Germany’s Vaeridion and ERC-Systems, the UK’s Vertical Aerospace and ZeroAvia, Switzerland’s H55, and Slovenia’s Pipistrel Aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that the core of GAMA’s white paper is fundamentally a geopolitical call to action. While European manufacturers initially led the way in certifying electric propulsion, the lack of cohesive government support contrasts sharply with the environment in competing nations. Industry analysts note that U.S. and Chinese eVTOL companies receive significant backing from government and defense agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense.
If the European Union does not adopt measures similar to the proposed “One-Stop-Shop” investment platform or performance-based funding, the center of gravity for sustainable aviation manufacturing will likely shift permanently to the U.S. and China. The recent insolvencies of European pioneers serve as a stark warning that technological leadership cannot survive without matching financial and regulatory infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Wings of Change” white paper?
Released by GAMA on April 22, 2026, it is an industrial blueprint aimed at securing clean aviation manufacturing in Europe through improved investment frameworks and regulatory efficiency.
Why is the European eVTOL sector struggling?
Despite early technological leads, European eVTOL companies have faced severe capital shortages. High-profile startups like Lilium and Volocopter entered insolvency proceedings in late 2024 and early 2025 due to a lack of government loan guarantees and scale-up support.
How does GAMA propose to fix the funding gap?
GAMA proposes creating a centralized “One-Stop-Shop” investment platform under the EU Competitiveness Fund, shifting to performance-based funding, and utilizing revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to build sustainable infrastructure.
Sources:
Photo Credit: General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Sustainable Aviation
Magma Aviation Partners with Air Atlanta to Improve Fuel Efficiency
Magma Aviation and Air Atlanta use SkyBreathe AI platform to reduce fuel consumption by 250,000 kg and cut CO2 emissions by 800,000 kg in 2025.
This article is based on an official press release from Magma Aviation.
Global air cargo specialist Magma Aviation has announced an expanded partnership with aircraft operator Air Atlanta to bolster environmental performance across its flight network. According to an official press release from the company, the collaboration centers on the deployment of “SkyBreathe,” an advanced eco-flying digital platform designed to reduce the environmental footprint of heavy freight operations.
The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, and digital transformation is proving to be an immediate, viable solution. By leveraging AI and big data to monitor and optimize fuel usage, Magma Aviation reported a reduction of over 250,000 kilograms in fuel consumption in 2025 alone.
This substantial fuel savings translates to an estimated reduction of 800,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions. The milestone highlights how data analytics can help cargo operators achieve sustainability goals without compromising operational reliability or safety.
The SkyBreathe Technology and Its Impact
Harnessing AI for Fuel Efficiency
The core of this sustainability initiative is SkyBreathe, an eco-flying platform developed by French clean-tech company OpenAirlines. According to industry data, OpenAirlines launched the software in 2013 after extensive research and development. Today, the software is utilized by over 80 airlines worldwide, including major carriers like Air France, easyJet, and DHL.
The platform utilizes Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning to automatically analyze vast amounts of flight data. This includes billions of data records from aircraft black boxes, flight trajectories, aircraft weight, and weather conditions. By assessing this data, SkyBreathe identifies fuel-saving opportunities and provides actionable recommendations to pilots and operations teams.
According to Magma Aviation, the platform highlights specific inefficiencies, such as suboptimal flight trajectories or fuel burn patterns, allowing internal teams to implement practical, data-driven corrective actions.
Industry benchmarks indicate that the adoption of SkyBreathe can reduce an airline’s total fuel consumption and carbon footprint by up to 5%, notably without requiring any physical modifications to the aircraft.
The Collaborative Ecosystem
Magma Aviation and Air Atlanta Icelandic
Modern aviation relies heavily on strategic partnerships to execute complex global logistics. Magma Aviation, founded around 2009 and headquartered in the UK, operates as a cargo management company specializing in charter and regular air freight services. Following acquisitions by Chapman Freeborn in 2017 and subsequently by the Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group in 2019, Magma has become a key player in the global logistics sector.
To operate its fleet of Boeing 747-400 jumbo freighters, Magma partners with Air Atlanta Icelandic. Founded in 1986 and celebrating its 40th anniversary in February 2026, Air Atlanta is a prominent ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter airline. The company is recognized globally as one of the most significant operators of the Boeing 747 aircraft.
The expanded partnership allows Magma to operate more consciously. By integrating SkyBreathe into their daily operations, Air Atlanta provides Magma Aviation with granular, real-time insights into flight performance. This collaborative ecosystem ensures that both the cargo manager and the aircraft operator are aligned in their environmental objectives.
Industry Context and Global Implications
Immediate Climate Solutions
The aviation sector is responsible for nearly 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions annually. With regulatory scrutiny intensifying globally, airlines and cargo operators are under immense pressure to decarbonize their supply chains.
While long-term solutions like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and next-generation aircraft are still scaling and face supply constraints, digital optimization tools offer immediate, measurable reductions in emissions. The Magma Aviation and Air Atlanta partnership reflects a broader trend in the air cargo sector toward leveraging software and AI to meet environmental objectives today, rather than waiting for the hardware of tomorrow.
AirPro News analysis
At AirPro News, we observe that fuel is typically an airline’s largest operating expense. By reducing fuel consumption through software like SkyBreathe, Magma Aviation and Air Atlanta are simultaneously lowering operational costs and achieving corporate social responsibility (CSR) milestones. This partnership proves that ecological and economic goals can align in the heavy-polluting freight sector. The tripartite approach, combining a cargo manager (Magma), an aircraft operator (Air Atlanta), and a tech provider (OpenAirlines), serves as a highly effective, scalable model for solving supply chain emissions in the near term.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is SkyBreathe?
SkyBreathe is an eco-flying digital platform developed by OpenAirlines that uses Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to monitor and optimize aircraft fuel usage. - How much fuel did Magma Aviation save in 2025?
According to the company’s data, Magma Aviation reduced its fuel consumption by over 250,000 kilograms in 2025, preventing an estimated 800,000 kilograms of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. - Who operates Magma Aviation’s Boeing 747 fleet?
Magma Aviation partners with Air Atlanta Icelandic, a prominent ACMI and charter airline, to operate its heavy freighter aircraft.
Sources
Photo Credit: Magma Aviation
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