#Sustainability20: How Section 45Z tax credits could spur SAF production & more
Weekly Roundup - 01/08/25
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
A Cyan Ventures study, supported by Boeing, has found that domestic SAF production in New Zealand could generate NZD 1.3 billion and create 5,700 jobs by 2050 while cutting emissions.
Flyers say airlines should prioritise planes being on time over reducing emissions - The Independent
A Nats survey has revealed that 63% of UK adults prioritise flight punctuality over emissions cuts, though 56% still support decarbonisation. Concerns remain over green policies increasing air fares.
CLIMATE WATCH: In Game-Changing Climate Rollback, E.P.A. Aims to Kill a Bedrock Scientific Finding - The New York Times
EPA chief Lee Zeldin has announced plans to revoke the 2009 endangerment finding, which would strip the agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases, dismantling key climate policies.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Daa has received €2.35 million in EU funding to electrify Dublin Airport, installing EV chargers and pantograph systems to reduce carbon emissions under the CEF AFIF programme.
Skypro and HygiCo have launched a uniform reuse initiative for SATA pilots, cutting carbon emissions by 90% compared to new production, with plans to expand globally.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
How Section 45Z tax credits could spur the next big thing: sustainable aviation fuel - Farm Progress
Section 45Z tax credits could bring $100–$400 per acre to farmers, mainly via ethanol for sustainable aviation fuel. However, benefits depend on politics, legislation, and carbon-reduction incentives.
HAMR Energy has announced plans for Australia’s first large-scale SAF plant, converting 300,000 tonnes of methanol annually to fuel 3.5 million Sydney-Melbourne trips.
Avfuel has opened a Denver SAF terminal, supplying fuel from used cooking oil, to streamline supply chains and support business aviation’s net-zero goals.
Velocys has launched microFTL™, a modular Fischer-Tropsch tech package designed to cut SAF production costs and simplify plant development for alternative fuels.
The EU has approved Denmark’s €36 million SAF subsidy scheme, the first of its kind, covering cost gaps for airlines using sustainable fuel on domestic routes.
Luxaviation has signed a 15-year deal to purchase 10,000 tonnes of eSAF from Iceland’s IdunnH2, produced using renewable energy and CO2 recycling.
A Japanese consortium has completed Phase 1 testing of a Scope 3 environmental value trading platform to boost SAF adoption, with Phase 2 expanding participation.
CADO and 4AIR have partnered to link their SAF registries, improving data accuracy, preventing duplicate certificates, and streamlining SAF tracking, boosting transparency and efficiency in aviation decarbonisation efforts.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Dubai has begun constructing the world’s first vertiport near DXB, partnering with Joby Aviation for air taxi trials ahead of a 2026 launch.
AMSL Aero has accelerated its Vertiia eVTOL rollout after five nations agreed to harmonise certification, easing approvals for hydrogen-powered flights.
Aura Aero has broken ground on a Florida factory for its ERA hybrid-electric aircraft, backed by $200m in funding, targeting 2030 service entry.
China’s AutoFlight has delivered its certified CarryAll eVTOL, the first heavy-lift model approved for commercial use, with an 880lb payload capacity.
Industry leaders at the VFS symposium have highlighted eVTOL certification progress, with Wisk pioneering autonomy and Horizon advancing hybrid-electric VTOLs.
Stralis Aircraft will test hydrogen-electric systems in Japan via a new R&D partnership, supporting decarbonisation goals, workforce training, and technology development ahead of 2035 commercial aviation targets.
Slovakia’s Tomark Proton has launched a €64.8m EU-funded H2 VTOL project, developing hydrogen aircraft and infrastructure, aiming to create 5,000 jobs.
Aura Aero has signed a LOI with Jump Air for 10 ERA hybrid-electric aircraft, part of a 650-strong orderbook, to decarbonise regional flights.