#Sustainability20: Avina announces development of nation’s first on-site SAF production facility at PIT & more
Weekly Roundup - 06/06/25
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
Global airlines reaffirmed their 2050 net-zero target at the IATA summit but warned of challenges, including $4.7 trillion costs and insufficient SAF supplies, with some costs likely passed to passengers.
IATA forecasts SAF production will double to 2 million tonnes in 2025 but remain just 0.7% of total fuel use, criticising European suppliers for “profiteering” through high compliance fees.
CLIMATE WATCH: Marine heatwave found to have engulfed area of ocean five times the size of Australia - The Guardian
A WMO report revealed 40 million sq km of ocean experienced marine heatwaves in 2024, with sea levels rising 4mm annually in Southeast Asia due to climate change.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Rome’s Fiumicino Airport has launched Europe’s largest hybrid second-life battery storage system, using 762 repurposed EV batteries to save 16,000 tonnes of CO2 over a decade alongside its solar farm.
Cathay Dining has introduced Hong Kong’s first large-scale inflight food waste recycling system, increasing capacity by 200% while cutting water and energy use by 60% and 70% respectively.
Airlines like LEVEL and Qatar are redesigning amenity kits for sustainability and social causes, moving from standard offerings to personalised, charity-linked or collectible items that reduce waste.
The UK plans its largest airspace redesign since the 1950s to cut delays and emissions, with new routes enabling smoother climbs and descents to reduce noise and fuel burn.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
INERATEC has inaugurated ERA ONE, Europe’s largest Power-to-Liquid plant in Frankfurt, which can produce up to 2,500 tonnes of carbon-neutral e-fuels annually from CO2 and hydrogen.
Avina announces development of nation’s first on-site SAF production facility at PIT - Blue Sky News
Pittsburgh Airport is partnering with Avina to build the first US on-site SAF plant using alcohol-to-jet tech, targeting 100+ million gallons annually with 65% lower carbon intensity.
Dutch pension fund ABP will invest €250m in SkyNRG through APG, boosting the SAF producer’s global expansion plans across three continents to meet rising demand for low-carbon jet fuel.
Syzygy Plasmonics has begun FEED work on Uruguay’s first electrified biogas-to-SAF plant, aiming for 350,000 gallons annually from cow manure with an 80% lower carbon footprint.
Avianca Cargo and The Queen’s Flowers completed South America’s first SAF Book & Claim operation with Repsol, offsetting emissions on the Bogotá-Miami flower route through RSB-certified credits.
Cathay Pacific is partnering with Sinopec to uplift SAF at Hong Kong Airport, using HEFA-processed used cooking oil that cuts lifecycle emissions by 80% compared to conventional fuel.
LanzaJet and ATOBA Energy have signed an MoU to develop innovative SAF commercial models, addressing financial barriers to scaling alcohol-to-jet fuel production through flexible offtake agreements.
Annecy Airport has introduced SAF supplied by TotalEnergies, blending 35% waste-derived fuel as part of VINCI Airports' network-wide push to decarbonise aviation operations.
India aims to produce 19-24 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2030, leveraging its used cooking oil market to meet 1-2% blending targets starting in 2027
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Beta Technologies made history by landing its electric aircraft at JFK Airport, completing a 45-minute pilot test flight as part of advancing urban air mobility solutions.
Archer Aviation has begun piloted flights of its Midnight eVTOL, achieving 125mph speeds and 1,500ft altitude in tests critical for US and UAE certification efforts.
Stellar Jet unveiled solid-state hydrogen storage and electric ducted fan tech for its 2025 demonstrator flight, claiming superior safety and energy density over liquid hydrogen systems.
SITA is partnering with Urban-Air Port to develop digital vertiport solutions for eVTOLs, combining modular infrastructure with advanced tech to support future urban air mobility networks.
UrbanV and Future Flight Global have teamed up to launch advanced air mobility services in Rome, combining vertiport development with eVTOL/eCTOL operations for regional connectivity.
The EU approves €5m for Cryostar to develop certification standards for aircraft liquid hydrogen tanks, supporting Europe's push for zero-emission aviation technologies.