11:16 am - February 16, 2026
The UAE is shifting from voluntary to mandatory use of sustainable aviation fuels, backed by local production projects and international collaborations, as part of its broader commitment to aviation decarbonisation and environmental leadership.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gearing up for a pretty significant change in its efforts toward making aviation more sustainable. Basically, they’re moving from a voluntary approach, where airlines were encouraged to adopt sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), to making it a requirement, a mandatory rule for their national carriers. Sharif Al Olama, who’s the Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, shared this news at the Dubai Airshow. He mentioned that during the event, the UAE government’s SAF & Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) Executive Committee met up with Airbus. This shift is a big step away from the current “soft requirement,” which advised Emirates and Etihad Airways to use just about 1% SAF by 2031, moving toward more solid regulatory measures that will push airlines to include SAF in their operations.
Al Olama explained that the initial voluntary policy was mainly to test how ready the market was and whether the airlines would actually adopt cleaner fuels. Now, with the move to make it mandatory, it clearly shows that the government wants to take a firmer stand, aiming to align the aviation sector with the country’s wider environmental ambitions. Of course, they’re also carefully looking into what this might mean practically, what it could do to ticket prices, for example, trying to strike a balance between making progress on sustainability and keeping the airlines financially viable.
A key part of this strategy is the UAE’s pledge to ramp up SAF production quickly. Al Olama described the country as being “ready to hit the ground running,” highlighting both local and global initiatives aimed at building a strong SAF supply chain. On the domestic front, there’s a SAF plant currently under development in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, led by MENA Biofuels. This project, which will cost about US$200 million in the first phase, intends to turn used cooking oil and other waste into certified SAF. It’s expected to produce around 125 million litres each year, which amounts to roughly 18% of the UAE’s target for 2030. The plan is to expand this with a second phase, aiming to double production and give a real boost to the country’s sustainable fuel capacity.
And it’s not just local efforts, there’s international collaboration too. For example, the UAE is looking into building a SAF plant in Hong Kong, working with UK-based Chinook Hydrogen. This project could serve as a blueprint for similar facilities in the UAE, all working toward establishing the country as a leader in sustainable aviation on the global stage.
For Emirates, SAF isn’t just a future plan; it’s happening now. The airline has upped its partnership with Neste, a major biofuel producer, to supply over 3 million gallons of blended SAF in 2024 and 2025 for flights leaving from Amsterdam Schiphol and Singapore Changi airports. This blended fuel contains over 30% pure SAF combined with regular jet fuel, making it the largest volume of SAF used by any airline in the Middle East and Africa so far. Additionally, Emirates signed an MoU with ENOC Group to look at SAF supply chains and production setups right at Dubai’s hub, showing they’re serious about developing local, economically feasible SAF sources.
Operationally, Emirates has also been pushing the limits. Earlier this year, they conducted a historic flight powered entirely by 100% SAF on one engine. This flight over Dubai, led by senior flight operations staff, aligned with the UAE’s “Year of Sustainability” in 2023. It’s a pretty interesting milestone, right? These kinds of flights provide valuable insights into whether complete SAF-powered flights are feasible, helping to advance broader decarbonization goals.
Of course, the environmental benefits of SAF are pretty impressive, cutting carbon emissions from aviation by as much as 80% over its lifecycle compared to regular jet fuel. But, yeah, the high cost of SAF remains a hurdle. Al Olama acknowledged that the government is cautious about the potential impact on airline expenses and, ultimately, ticket prices. They’re doing ongoing studies to better understand those economic effects and figure out ways to minimize additional costs without undermining their sustainability goals.
Beyond just changing fuels, Emirates is also taking a comprehensive approach to cutting emissions. The airline’s fleet is among the youngest in the world, average age of about 9.1 years, and they’re planning to add more fuel-efficient aircraft, like Airbus A350s and Boeing models, starting from 2024 and 2025. They’ve already seen results, training pilots on eco-friendly procedures has reduced fuel burn by over 50,000 tonnes and cut carbon emissions by 160,000 tonnes in 2022-23. On top of that, Emirates invests in renewable energy at its facilities, generating roughly 9,000 MWh of electricity annually and helping avoid around 4 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.
All in all, the UAE’s strategy combines regulatory measures, increased SAF production, and industry partnerships, aiming for a pragmatic yet ambitious push toward sustainability in aviation. Moving toward a mandatory SAF policy really signals a stronger government commitment to environmental leadership in the region’s aviation scene. And the ongoing projects and collaborations clearly reflect an understanding of the operational and economic challenges involved in reaching a truly sustainable flying future.
As the UAE pushes forward with these initiatives, it’s positioning itself not just as a major hub for air travel but also as a global leader in the shift to lower-carbon aviation. It’s kind of impressive, right? They’re trying to balance innovation, industry readiness, and economic realities, all while chasing sustainable growth.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/11/18/uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/11/18/uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uae-prepares-to-introduce-saf-mandate-for-airlines – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is advancing plans to make sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandatory for its carriers, according to Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Currently, Emirates (EK) and Etihad Airways (EY) operate under a ‘soft requirement’ that encourages them to use one percent of SAF by 2031, but the government now aims to move to a compulsory mandate. Al Olama revealed the shift ahead of a meeting of the UAE government’s SAF & Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) Executive Committee held alongside Airbus at the Dubai Airshow. He said the earlier voluntary policy was introduced to measure the national airlines’ willingness and test market readiness. The transition from voluntary to mandatory SAF use reflects a more assertive stance by the UAE government. Al Olama said policymakers are now assessing how a mandate would affect airline operations and how added costs might ultimately be passed on to passengers. The government is seeking a careful balance: promoting sustainability while protecting the financial health of its national carriers. Despite its cautious policy rollout, the UAE remains deeply committed to rapidly scaling SAF production. Al Olama described the country as ‘ready to hit the ground running’ and stressed its capacity to drive the global transition. Part of that strategy involves a proposed SAF production plant in Hong Kong (HKG), in partnership with UK-based Chinook Hydrogen. If successful, Al Olama envisions it serving as a model for similar domestic facilities. Domestically, the UAE is already making tangible progress. A SAF plant is under development in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), backed by MENA Biofuels. It aims to process used cooking oil and waste to produce certified SAF in quantities aligned with the country’s 2030 roadmap. Phase I of the project, costing US$200 million, will yield 125 million litres annually — roughly 18 percent of the UAE’s 2030 target — and a second phase will double that production. Implementing a SAF mandate could raise the cost of airline operations, since SAF remains more expensive than conventional jet fuel. Al Olama acknowledged that the government is cautious about how these costs could affect ticket prices. He emphasized that further studies are underway to understand and mitigate any financial burden on airlines — and by extension, passengers. Beyond domestic goals, the UAE sees itself as a global leader in the sustainable aviation transition. By investing in SAF infrastructure and innovation, Al Olama argued that the country can influence international SAF adoption. He described the UAE’s approach as pragmatic but ambitious — combining market incentives, production scale, and regulatory action.
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-expands-collaboration-with-neste-for-the-supply-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel-in-2024-and-2025/ – Emirates and Neste have expanded their partnership by solidifying their collaboration for the supply of over 3 million gallons of blended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2024 and 2025. The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which will be blended with conventional jet fuel, will be supplied over the course of 2024 and 2025 for Emirates’ flights departing from Amsterdam Schiphol and Singapore Changi airports. Emirates’ expanded partnership with Neste represents the largest volume of SAF to be uplifted of any airline based in the Middle East and Africa to date. The blended SAF will be comprised of over one million gallons of neat SAF. This represents a blended ratio of over 30% neat SAF combined with conventional Jet A-1 fuel. Before the end of this year, the airline will also uplift SAF for the first time from its Dubai hub. SAF reduces carbon emissions of air travel by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle when compared to using conventional jet fuel. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Today’s announcement is a milestone for Emirates and represents the acceleration of SAF procurement for our operations. It’s also one of the many initiatives we are focused on to reduce our carbon emissions, which includes operating fuel-efficient aircraft, stepping up our fleet renewal from 2024, in addition to driving operational fuel efficiency. Our ongoing partnership with Neste also demonstrates our active engagement and support of the rapidly developing SAF industry, and we hope that the robust demand coming from Emirates and other airlines encourages the scaling up of SAF and other emerging clean propulsion technologies.”
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-and-enoc-group-sign-mou-to-explore-sustainable-aviation-fuel-supply-in-dubai/ – Emirates and ENOC Group have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore and develop joint initiatives for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Emirates at its Dubai hub. The MoU creates a framework for feasibility studies to assess SAF supply opportunities in Dubai, including supply chain infrastructure, production capabilities, and commercial viability. The collaboration aims to explore pathways for developing economically feasible SAF production and supply infrastructure in Dubai, with ENOC evaluating its potential contribution to local production. A joint steering committee will guide the evaluation. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer said: “Emirates continues to explore ways to integrate sustainable aviation fuel adoption in our operations, and this partnership with ENOC represents an important step in that journey. We look forward to working with ENOC to develop a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain in Dubai that supports our environmental objectives and contributes to the UAE’s sustainability goals.”
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-powers-flights-with-saf-from-singapore/ – Emirates has begun using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of its fuel agreement with Neste on flights departing from Singapore Changi Airport, marking its inaugural SAF investment in Asia. Approximately 3.3 million litres of blended SAF have been integrated into the fuelling system of Changi airport over the course of the last few weeks. Emirates is tracking the delivery of SAF into the fuelling systems, accounting for and assigning its environmental benefits through widely used and accepted industry methodologies. Earlier this year, the airline closely collaborated with Neste for the supply of 2.6 million litres of neat SAF in the fuelling systems of Amsterdam Schiphol airport.
- https://www.emirates.com/us/english/about-us/our-planet/reducing-emissions/ – Operating modern and fuel-efficient aircraft has always been central to Emirates’ business model. This ongoing, multi-billion dollar investment, is Emirates’ biggest commitment not only to passenger comfort, but also to reducing our environmental impact. We fly one of the youngest wide-body aircraft fleets with an average age of 9.1 years, considerably lower than the industry average. Our new-generation Airbus A350 and Boeing aircraft will also provide greater fuel efficiency as they join our fleet starting 2024 and 2025 respectively. Under the governance of a cross-functional Operations Efficiency Steering Group, we actively implement ways to reduce unnecessary fuel burn and emissions, while maintaining the highest safety standards. Emirates has taken a significant step forward with the successful implementation of Green Standard Operating Procedures (Green SOPs) by our pilots, a result of a multi-faceted approach involving education, awareness, data analytics and technology. Our Green SOPs include measures such as: using reduced engine taxi, idle reverse, prudent judgement on extra fuel, optimized flap landing, inflight speed management to minimize fuel burn, and use of direct routing opportunities. In 2022-23, Green SOPs and other operating initiatives helped to reduce fuel burn by more than 50,000 tons and carbon emissions by over 160,000 tons. Emirates has a robust fuel monitoring system and uses advanced data analytics to optimize the uplifting of fuel and potable water, and to load aircraft at the optimal center of gravity. Our pilots are empowered with the latest technology and tools to monitor and review their flight performance, improving their awareness of how their flying techniques impact fuel consumption and carbon emissions. We support initiatives that contribute to the deployment of SAF and actively engage with the rapidly developing SAF industry. In January 2023, we completed a milestone demonstration flight of a Boeing 777-300ER powered with 100% SAF in one engine. The first such initiative in the MENA region, this contributes to collective industry data and efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying. Emirates has also contributed to: the development of the UAE power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels roadmap, launched in July 2022 and prepared jointly by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the World Economic Forum. The roadmap outlines the financial, economic and environmental benefits of PtL in decarbonizing the country’s aviation industry the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap of the UAE, launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and General Civil Aviation Authority, that aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the aviation sector. We have invested in solar power systems to generate clean electricity at our major facilities. In Dubai, this includes the Emirates Engine Maintenance Center, Emirates Flight Catering, the Emirates Sevens Stadium, and our new pilot training center, which will open in 2024. Our current installations generate over 9,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, saving about 4 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was published on November 18, 2025, and aligns with recent developments in the UAE’s aviation sector. The earliest known publication date of similar content is November 17, 2025, in Aviation Week Network. ([aviationweek.com](https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/uae-prepares-introduce-saf-mandate-airlines?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([aviationweek.com](https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/uae-prepares-introduce-saf-mandate-airlines?utm_source=openai)) The Dubai Airshow, where the announcement was made, took place from November 17 to 21, 2025. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Airshow?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material. The wording matches the original source, with no variations found. No online matches were found for these quotes, raising the score but flagging them as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Aviation A2Z, a niche aviation news outlet. While it provides detailed coverage, its reputation and reach are limited compared to major news organisations. The report cites a press release from the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single source and the outlet’s limited reach may affect the overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the UAE’s shift from a voluntary to a mandatory SAF policy align with recent developments in the aviation industry. The UAE’s commitment to sustainable aviation is well-documented, including partnerships with companies like ENOC Group to explore SAF supply in Dubai. ([emirates.com](https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-and-enoc-group-sign-mou-to-explore-sustainable-aviation-fuel-supply-in-dubai/?utm_source=openai)) The report mentions a SAF plant under development in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, backed by MENA Biofuels, aiming to produce 125 million litres annually. The language and tone are consistent with industry reporting, and the details provided are plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments in the UAE’s aviation sector, including plans to mandate SAF usage and partnerships to enhance SAF supply. While the content is timely and includes unique quotes, the reliance on a niche outlet and a single source affects the overall reliability. The plausibility of the claims is supported by recent industry developments. Further verification from additional reputable sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information.
