New Report: The UAE's Sustainable Aviation Transition
Inside the UAE’s push to turn sustainability pledges into real progress — and why its momentum matters far beyond the Gulf.
From 17 to 21 November, the Dubai Airshow 2025 will place the UAE at the centre of aviation’s global energy transition. From new SAF facilities and electric aircraft to climate tech partnerships and airport innovation, the country is showing what it means to turn sustainability commitments into tangible progress.
Ahead of the event, we’ve released a new report – The UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Transition – highlighting the milestones, technologies, and policies shaping the region’s next chapter, and why its momentum matters far beyond the Gulf.
Since hosting COP28 in late 2023, the UAE has accelerated its transformation into a hub for sustainable aviation innovation, combining ambitious policy frameworks with concrete investments across sustainable aviation fuel production (SAF), alternative propulsion systems, airport infrastructure, and climate technology.
Illustrative milestones show this momentum:
The UAE’s National SAF Roadmap targeting 700 million litres annually by 2030, positioning the UAE as both a regional supplier and global exporter.
Commercial eVTOL operations set to launch in Dubai by 2026, with hydrogen trials expected to begin at UAE airports.
Dubai International achieving Level 4 Transformation accreditation, placing it among the world’s top 5% for carbon management.
World-first Direct Air Capture projects, record-low solar costs, and expansion into green hydrogen, wind, and next-gen nuclear.
Our report traces how these strands are coming together to redefine what an aviation-focused energy transition can look like – from halophyte-based SAF to hydrogen-ready airports and climate-tech ecosystems integrating carbon capture, storage, and clean power.
Why this matters
Aviation is central to the UAE’s economy, accounting for nearly 18% of its GDP – and it’s also becoming a testbed for new decarbonisation models. The same infrastructure that once fuelled global connectivity is now being retooled for sustainability leadership.
As the world gathers for the Dubai Airshow, the UAE will showcase not distant pledges but operational reality: aircraft flying on local SAF, solar-powered terminals, and clean energy infrastructure designed for the next era of flight.