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Heathrow Boosts 2026 SAF Target to 5.6%, Exceeds UK Mandate by 2%

Heathrow Airport has announced an enhanced target for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use, aiming for 5.6% of all fuel in 2026, which exceeds the UK government's 3.6% mandate. The initiative, supported by over £80 million in incentives for airlines, could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 600,000 tonnes that year. The airport plans to progressively increase its SAF share to 11% by 2030, surpassing the national 2030 target. Heathrow's leadership notes that SAF is already making a tangible impact and is a critical component of aviation's journey to net zero by 2050.

Key Points: Heathrow Raises 2026 SAF Target to 5.6%, Beats UK Mandate

  • Heathrow sets 5.6% SAF target for 2026
  • Backed by over £80 million in airline support
  • Aims to cut ~600,000 tonnes of CO2
  • Targets 11% SAF share by 2030
2 min read

Heathrow boosts 2026 Sustainable Aviation Fuel incentive to exceed government mandate by 2%

Heathrow Airport increases its 2026 SAF incentive to 5.6%, exceeding the UK's 3.6% mandate. The move aims to cut 600,000 tonnes of CO2.

"Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not a hypothetical concept for the future; it's already producing real impact in 2026. - Matt Gorman"

New Delhi, February 16

Heathrow Airport is stepping up its industry-leading carbon-cutting programme for a fifth consecutive year, setting an ambitious target to exceed the United Kingdom's 3.6 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate by 2 per cent in 2026.

Combined, this would see up to 5.6 per cent of all aviation fuel used at Heathrow derived from SAF, amounting to around 350,000 tonnes. The initiative is backed by more than 80 million pounds in support for airlines in 2026.

SAF, a fuel alternative to traditional fossil-based kerosene, can be produced from a variety of feedstocks and can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by 70 per cent on average. The scheme encourages airlines to switch to SAF by approximately halving the price gap between kerosene and its cleaner alternative, making SAF more commercially viable for airlines.

In 2026, the SAF uplift at Heathrow has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by around 600,000 tonnes, the equivalent of more than 950,000 economy class passengers round-trip from Heathrow to New York's JFK Airport.

Heathrow aims to progressively increase the share of SAF uplift to 11 per cent by 2030, exceeding the Government mandate of 10 per cent across the UK by 2030.

Heathrow's director of Sustainability, Matt Gorman, said, "Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not a hypothetical concept for the future; it's already producing real impact in 2026. Heathrow is leading the way globally, with 17 per cent of the world's SAF supply in 2024 used at the airport. SAF is a key lever on aviation's journey to net zero by 2050, and a key element of Heathrow's Net Zero Plan. Our incentive delivers real progress today, as well as a future promise for tomorrow."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
While this is a positive step, I hope the focus remains on truly sustainable feedstocks. Sometimes these fuels are made from crops that could be used for food, which creates another problem. The 70% reduction is impressive, but the full lifecycle needs scrutiny.
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Priya S
Good to see major airports leading the way. The financial support of 80 million pounds is crucial to make it work for airlines. Hope this brings down ticket prices for greener flights in the long run! 🙏
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Rohit P
As someone who flies frequently between India and the UK, I fully support this. Every bit helps in fighting climate change. Maybe Air India and other carriers on this route will be encouraged to use more SAF.
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Vikram M
Exceeding the mandate is a bold move. The comparison to 950,000 passengers to New York really puts the 600,000-tonne reduction into perspective. This is how you build credibility in sustainability claims.
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Michael C
A respectful criticism: The article mentions "halving the price gap" with incentives, but who ultimately pays? Is it the taxpayer or the passenger? Transparency on the cost structure would be helpful.
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Ananya R
This is the kind of leadership we need. If a busy hub like Heathrow can do it, there's no excuse for others. India has a huge

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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