How Biofuels Could Help Struggling Airlines
Exploring how sustainable aviation fuels are powering a greener future for the airline industry amid climate and economic pressures.
The airline industry faces persistent economic pressures and growing scrutiny over its environmental impact. In the search for solutions, biofuels—specifically sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs)—have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional jet fuel. This article explores how biofuels could support a greener, more resilient future for airlines by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting energy security, and navigating regulatory and financial challenges.
Why Airlines Are Struggling
- Fuel costs: Jet fuel is typically the largest or second-largest operating expense for airlines, making them especially vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.
- Pandemic impacts: COVID-19 dramatically reduced passenger volumes, left fleets grounded, and led to unprecedented financial losses across the sector.
- Environmental regulations: Governments and consumers are demanding deeper emissions cuts, placing additional pressure on an already strained industry.
- Market competition: Intense competition and slim profit margins force carriers to seek operational efficiencies and sustainable alternatives.
The Promise of Biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Biofuels, particularly sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), are produced from renewable biological resources such as plants, waste oils, and agricultural residues. When blended with or replacing traditional fossil jet fuel, SAFs provide an important pathway toward decarbonizing air travel.
- Lower lifecycle emissions: SAFs can reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% or more when compared to conventional jet fuel, depending on the feedstock and production method used.
- Drop-in compatibility: Many modern SAFs are designed as direct replacements for petroleum-based jet fuels, requiring minimal modifications to existing aircraft and infrastructure.
- Global potential: Almost every major airline alliance and international aviation governing body now includes SAF adoption as part of their long-term sustainability strategies.
Case Study: Camelina-Based Jet Fuel
Jet fuel derived from camelina, a drought-resistant oilseed crop, has shown an 84% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-based fuel, according to Michigan Technological University. This is due to camelina’s low fertilizer needs, high oil yield, and the practical uses of its byproducts.
Airlines Leading the Way With Biofuels
Several airlines worldwide have begun integrating biofuels into their operations through test flights, pilot programs, or regular commercial use. Below, notable examples highlight the global momentum behind SAF adoption:
| Airline | Region | Biofuel Type/Feedstock | Progress/Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azul Airlines | Brazil | Sugarcane-derived renewable jet fuel | First demonstration flights using Amyris sugarcane-based fuel. Complies with Jet A/A-1 standards. |
| Aeromexico | Mexico | 25% synthetic paraffin biokerosene | “Green Flights” project on domestic and transoceanic routes using biofuel blends. |
| Lufthansa | Germany/Europe | NExBTL (vegetable oils and waste fats) | Series of biofuel test flights with 1,187 legs, reducing CO2 emissions and confirming engineering compatibility. |
| Qantas | Australia | Cooking-oil derived jet fuel (50% blend) | First Australian commercial biofuels flight; ongoing feasibility studies with Shell Australia. |
| Air New Zealand | New Zealand | Woody biomass-derived biofuel | MOU signed to explore converting woody biomass into SAF with Licella Pty Ltd. |
What others are reading
How Biofuels Are Made
There are several pathways for producing SAF, each with unique feedstocks, costs, and environmental impacts:
- Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA): Converts waste oils, tallow, and used cooking oils into jet fuel compatible hydrocarbons.
- Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Transforms biomass (such as wood chips or agricultural waste) into syngas, which is further processed into liquid fuels.
- Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ): Converts alcohols like ethanol or butanol into aviation-grade hydrocarbons.
- Sugar-to-Jet: Microbes convert sugars from crops like sugarcane into hydrocarbons suitable for jet fuel.
The Benefits of Aviation Biofuels
- Climate impact: Depending on the feedstock, production, and supply chain, some SAFs can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80-84% relative to fossil aviation fuel.
- Energy diversification: Reduces reliance on petroleum imports and enhances fuel security for national economies.
- Reduced air pollutants: Many biofuels produce fewer particulates, sulfur oxides, and other harmful emissions, improving air quality around airports.
- Job creation and rural development: Stimulates new agricultural and technological sectors, supporting local economies through biomass production and processing.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite their promise, aviation biofuels face significant hurdles:
- Cost: SAFs remain substantially more expensive than conventional jet fuel, limiting adoption especially when airlines are struggling financially.
- Scale: Today, SAFs account for less than 1% of global aviation fuel use. Scaling up to make a tangible climate impact will require vast investments and infrastructure updates.
- Feedstock sustainability: Using food crops like corn or soybeans for fuel can drive up food prices, encourage deforestation, and increase net greenhouse gas emissions due to land use changes.
- Policy and incentives: Regulations and subsidies play a critical role; in some regions, policies are not yet designed to ensure only the most climate-friendly SAFs are incentivized.
- Technical limitations: While most modern aircraft can run on a blend of up to 50% SAF, 100% biofuel flights remain rare and are subject to further certification.
Comparing Biofuel Feedstocks
| Feedstock | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Used Cooking Oil / Waste Fat |
|
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| Non-food Oilseeds (e.g., Camelina) |
|
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| Corn, Soybeans |
|
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| Lignocellulosic Biomass (Woody plants, Straw) |
|
|
Policy, Regulations, and Market Forces
Policy and regulations are critical levers for SAF deployment. Several mechanisms are driving or impeding adoption:
- Tax credits and incentives: In the U.S. and Europe, governments are considering or enacting credits to make SAFs more financially viable for airlines and fuel suppliers.
- International targets: Bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have set ambitious net-zero targets for aviation, implicitly demanding transition to lower carbon fuels.
- Certification criteria: Ongoing discussions focus on which feedstocks and methods truly meet “sustainability” requirements, especially related to land-use change and emissions calculations.
- Corporate commitments: Many airlines pledge to increase SAF blends in their operations, though progress hinges on availability and cost.
The Future of Flight: Innovations and Alternatives
Beyond current SAF technologies, several innovations could further reshape sustainable aviation:
- Electrification: Electric aircraft may be feasible for short-haul routes, though battery energy density and aircraft weight pose major challenges for long-haul flights.
- Green hydrogen: Hydrogen, produced using renewable energy and used either directly or to synthesize liquid fuels, could power future aircraft.
- Advanced feedstocks: Algae, fast-growing grasses, and oil-rich tree crops (like pongamia) may offer even greener and more scalable alternatives in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much of global aviation fuel use is currently biofuel?
As of 2024, sustainable aviation fuels represent less than 1% of total global jet fuel consumption, primarily due to cost and limited supply.
Do biofuels really cut emissions, or just shift them elsewhere?
Biofuel emissions depend on feedstock and production method. Used cooking oil and waste-based SAFs generally offer deep emissions cuts. Crop-based fuels, like corn or soy, can cause deforestation and indirectly increase greenhouse gases if not carefully managed.
Can existing airplanes run on 100% biofuels?
Current jet engines are certified for up to a 50% blend with SAF; research and certification for 100% use is ongoing, and a few demonstration flights have proven feasibility.
What policies can accelerate sustainable aviation fuels?
Tax credits, direct investments, government purchasing mandates, and rigorous sustainability certification for feedstocks are key policy tools to speed SAF adoption.
Why do airlines care about biofuels?
Beyond emissions regulations, SAFs help airlines hedge fuel price volatility, reduce reputation risk, respond to investor and consumer demands for sustainability, and prepare for stricter environmental standards.
Conclusion: Can Biofuels Save Airlines?
Biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels alone will not solve every problem facing the airline industry, but they represent a necessary transition for both environmental and economic resilience. Scaling production, ensuring true sustainability, and supporting innovation across feedstocks and technologies are vital for airlines to meet climate targets and secure their future in a carbon-constrained world.
References
- https://intelligent-partnership.com/aviation-biofuels-which-airlines-are-doing-what-with-whom/
- https://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/technical-articles/generation/biomass/treehugger/84-per-cent-reduction-in-jet-fuel-carbon-emissions-possible-using-camelina/index.shtml
- https://e360.yale.edu/features/corn-soy-biofuel-aviation-congress
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-022-01046-9
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