Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-06-05/uk-proposes-sustainable-aviation-fuel-mandate-2025">consultation conducted in 2023</a>, 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.
The UK mandate includes a buyout mechanism intended to induce energy companies to boost SAF production or carry some of the cost of inflated fuel prices. Per liter prices for these will be set at £4.70 ($5.92) and £5 ($6.30) for standard SAF and power-to-liquid fuel, respectively.
This legislation also seeks to limit the feedstocks used in the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process used to produce SAF. However, the government said this requirement will not go into full force “until other types of SAF are commercially viable.” For the first two years, HEFA supplies will not be limited under the mandate, before being required to fall to 71% of total supply in 2030 and 35% in 2040.
The UK mandate starts out matching the European Union’s requirements, which also take effect at 2% from January 1. However, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-07-16/europes-saf-market-poses-competitive-challenges-airlines">the EU mandate</a> calls for SAF supplies to account for 34% of all aircraft fuel by 2040, and then rise to 42% in 2045 and 70% in 2050.
The UK government has included what it calls a revenue certainty mechanism in its mandate to encourage energy companies to increase SAF production capacity. It said its intention is to reduce investment risk and encourage producers to add new facilities in the UK, creating jobs in the process.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

UK Mandate To Require More Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use Starting in 2025

Rules are intended to drive up availability of sustainable aviation fuel at airports

Initially, the UK's sustainable aviation fuel mandate is the same as European Union requirements, but has lower targets for replacing fossil fuel beyond 2040.

UK Mandate To Require More SAF Use Starting in 2025

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Environmental regulatory schemes are growing exponentially worldwide

4Air Compliance Services Expand with 21 More Enviro Regs

Curt Epstein

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The report sees the Midwest as a future hotbed of SAF production

Environmental Group Sees U.S. e-Fuel Potential

NBAA called a study suggesting business aviation emissions will need to be regulated 'misleading' 

NBAA Challenges Study Highlighting Bizav Emissions

NASA's Gulfstream G-III will use lidar technology to scan contrails of GE's Boeing 747

NASA and GE Plan Flight Tests To Study Contrails

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Project also includes Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Honeywell Aerospace, and American Airlines, plus MIT and University of Michigan

NASA Contracts Electra for AACES Sustainable Airliner Program

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

4,000 solar panels have been fitted on buildings across the London-area facility

Solar Generates 25% of Farnborough's Electric Power

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Environment

4Air Compliance Services Expand with 21 More Enviro Regs

Environmental regulatory schemes are growing exponentially worldwide

Environmental Group Sees U.S. e-Fuel Potential

The report sees the Midwest as a future hotbed of SAF production

NBAA Challenges Study Highlighting Bizav Emissions

NBAA called a study suggesting business aviation emissions will need to be regulated 'misleading'

NASA and GE Plan Flight Tests To Study Contrails

NASA's Gulfstream G-III will use lidar technology to scan contrails of GE's Boeing 747

NASA Contracts Electra for AACES Sustainable Airliner Program

Project also includes Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Honeywell Aerospace, and American Airlines, plus MIT and University of Michigan

Solar Generates 25% of Farnborough's Electric Power

4,000 solar panels have been fitted on buildings across the London-area facility

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High-octane unleaded avgas is becoming more available in California

Minnesota Selected for SAF Production Site

DG Fuels plans for the $5 billion production facility to be operational by 2030

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