Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a renewable or waste-derived aviation fuel intended to reduce lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions compared with conventional fossil jet fuel. It is normally supplied as a certified blend that meets the applicable aviation-fuel specification. Availability, blend level, sustainability credentials and delivery method must be confirmed for each airport and operation.
What is sustainable aviation fuel?
SAF is produced from eligible feedstocks and pathways rather than directly from fossil crude oil. After production and blending, the finished fuel must meet the same applicable technical requirements used for conventional aviation turbine fuel before it enters the aircraft fuel system.
SAF should not be described as zero-emission fuel. Aircraft still produce carbon dioxide during combustion. Its potential benefit is assessed across the fuel lifecycle and varies according to feedstock, production pathway, transport and accounting methodology.
How is SAF supplied to aircraft?
SAF may be physically supplied as a blended fuel at an airport, delivered through an existing fuel-distribution system, or purchased through an accepted book-and-claim mechanism where environmental attributes are assigned separately from the physical molecule. The available model depends on the programme, supplier and airport.
What should an operator confirm before purchasing SAF?
- Airport and supplier availability
- Fuel specification and approved blend level
- Feedstock and production pathway
- Sustainability certification and chain of custody
- Lifecycle-emissions methodology
- Physical uplift or book-and-claim delivery
- Ownership and retirement of environmental attributes
- Price, taxes, fees and documentation
Why does SAF availability differ by location?
Supply depends on production capacity, blending infrastructure, airport fuel systems, regulation, incentives and local demand. An airport or country announcement does not necessarily mean SAF is continuously available for every operator or every uplift quantity.
What is book-and-claim?
Book-and-claim allows a buyer to fund eligible SAF and claim the associated environmental attributes even when the physical fuel is supplied elsewhere in the network. Credible use requires clear rules preventing double counting and documentation showing how the attributes were allocated and retired.
How should emissions claims be written?
Claims should identify whether they concern lifecycle emissions, the methodology used and the scope of the purchase. Avoid presenting a generic percentage as guaranteed for every SAF pathway. The reduction varies and should be supported by programme-specific evidence.
How ASM approaches SAF requests
ASM can check supplier options and coordinate aviation-fuel requirements at the requested station. Because SAF availability and commercial programmes change quickly, ASM confirms the current position for the specific airport, date, quantity and operator requirement rather than describing SAF as universally available.
SAF FAQs
Can every turbine aircraft use SAF?
Approved blended SAF is designed to meet applicable conventional jet-fuel specifications, but operators must follow the aircraft, engine and regulatory requirements relevant to their operation.
Is SAF available at every major airport?
No. Availability and delivery models vary and must be confirmed.
Does SAF eliminate in-flight emissions?
No. Its potential benefit is evaluated on a lifecycle basis rather than as zero exhaust emissions.
Can ASM provide a live public SAF price?
No. Pricing depends on the station, volume, programme, fees and environmental attributes; ASM provides request-specific quotations where available.
Reviewed September 2026. SAF regulation, availability and accounting rules are developing rapidly; use current supplier and authority documentation.
Discuss an SAF or Jet A-1 requirement: visit Aviation Fuel Services or email sales@asm.aero.