Sustainability and Environment
SAF Curiousity Grows in the Middle East
Despite the region's long involvement with petroleum, World Fuel is fielding queries from Middle Eastern customers regarding sustainable aviation fuel.
Man fueling
Lack of suitable feedstocks is hindering development of sustainable aviation fuel in the Middle East, but World Fuel officials said aircraft operators could use carbon offsets. (Photo: AIN)

While the Middle East has long been associated with oil and petroleum products, World Fuel Services (Booth 1120) has noted growing interest regarding sustainability and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

“I think it’s definitely increasing from the perspective that we are getting asked about it regularly in terms of customers asking 'can you supply this market or that market,'” said Riyan Qirbi, World Fuel’s director of market development for the region. “Of course, in most cases, we say we can’t because there is no supply source [in the region] that we can actually access, but there’s definitely an interest from multiple parties. If it were available and at the right price, I think there would be a market for it.”