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

Energy data group Argus has released an overview of how sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) regulations will increasingly impact aircraft operators. The report, “<a href="https://c52adb7d-4ae4-4f14-9a8e-48a98798f3b8.usrfiles.com/ugd/c52adb_d67585532909489db94c459752844e58.pdf">2025: The Year of SAF Mandates</a>,” highlights the industry’s new obligations under the European Union’s ReFuelEU SAF mandate legislation and the emissions trading scheme (ETS), while also providing an update on policies in other regions of the world.
Under ReFuelEU, aviation fuel suppliers are required to provide minimum quantities of SAF with mandatory quotas rising progressively from 2029 and then quite steeply between 2049 and 2050 to account for around 80% of all fuel, including synthetic fuels. The UK’s SAF mandate is set to rise from 2% this year to 20% in 2040, with progressively tightening limits on the amount of fuel that can be produced from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids.
Aircraft operators are now obligated to uplift at least 90% of their fuel requirements at EU airports for flights departing from those airports in a move intended to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-02-03/europes-fuel-tankering-rules-are-tough-bizav-operators">prevent fuel tankering</a>. Most EU airports now face an obligation to facilitate the availability of SAF if their annual passenger throughput is above 800,000 or freight traffic exceeds 100,000 tonnes.
The Argus report explained that between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2030, 20 million carbon allowances under the ETS will be set aside to incentivize the use of SAF. These allowances will cover all or part of the price differential between SAF and jet-A.
For most airports, the price differential covered will be 95% for renewable fuels of non-biological origin, falling to 70% for advanced biofuels and 50% for other eligible fuels. Smaller airports and those in the more remote regions of the EU will be able to cover the entire price differential.
<h2>Different Approaches around the World</h2>
The legislative landscape across the Asia-Pacific region, mapped out by Argus, shows more limited initiatives. For instance, China is working to a limited target of making 50,000 tonnes of SAF available annually between 2022 and 2025, while Indonesia and South Korea have set mandates of 1% through 2027, and Singapore is targeting 1% next year with a goal of achieving between 3% and 5% by 2030. SAF mandates are under discussion by governments in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand.
In the U.S., for now, the main focus has been on incentivizing SAF usage with a target to supply 30 billion gallons by 2030 under the country’s SAF Grand Challenge. The Argus report details SAF credit schemes now available in Washington, Hawaii, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois.
Argus, which tracks pricing and offers risk management tools, predicted that supplies of used cooking oil will serve as a feedstock for SAF. This is contingent on increased rates of the oil being collected worldwide, and it will also be in demand for the production of sustainable fuel for other industries.

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

Argus Report Charts Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Usage, Legislation 

The most ambitious mandated targets for SAF usage are in the European Union 

A report from energy data group Argus provides a useful summary of changing requirements and incentives for aircraft operators to use sustainable aviation fuel.

Argus Charts Sustainable Aviation Fuel Usage Worldwide

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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.

Emergency medical operator ADAC partnered with aerospace research group DLR

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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.

Project SkyPower is supported by the CEOs of 15 aviation and energy companies

Luxaviation Backs SkyPower Project To Boost Green Fuel

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

Reporting system for new European Union requirements begins on March 1

EU’s Fuel Tankering Rules Are Tough for Bizav Operators

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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.

Early commitments to new program come from business aircraft operators Comlux and Luxaviation

Airbus Customers Get Easier Access to SAF Book-and-claim

Amy Wilder

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

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.

Ten-year deal brings fuel operations changes  

Platinum, World Fuel Expand Gold Coast Fuel Partnership

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

UK government consultation on revenue certainty mechanism

Jet Fuel Suppliers Could Pay for UK SAF Pricing Mechanism

Successful HVO and SAF production tests pave way for energy transition

MOL Group Advances SAF Production with Slovnaft Test

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.

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