Sustainability and Environment
UK Mandate To Require More SAF Use Starting in 2025
Rules are intended to drive up availability of sustainable aviation fuel at airports
SAF delivery at Farnborough Airport
A new UK government mandate is intended to drive an increase in the availability of sustainable aviation fuel at UK airports, including the private aviation hub at Farnborough. © AIN

The UK’s new legally-binding mandate for use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will take effect in a little over a month on January 1. Under legislation introduced in July by the country’s Labour government, 2% of all aircraft fuel delivered to operators at UK airports will need to be SAF from 2025, with this increasing to 10% in 2030 and then 22% in 2040.

According to the government, it will not increase the mandate above 22% until “there is greater certainty regarding SAF supply.” The legislation, which is based on a consultation conducted in 2023, also includes a requirement for the use of power-to-liquid fuels to increase progressively from 2028 to account for 3.5% of aircraft fuel by 2040.