How Eco-friendly Fuels are being Adopted in Private Aviation

How Eco-friendly Fuels are being Adopted in Private Aviation

Private jets and sustainability aren’t traditionally an obvious pairing. It’s true that private aviation is more carbon-intensive per passenger than commercial flying, but it’s worth noting that private jets account for a very small fraction – only around 2% – of global aviation emissions. The bulk of aviation emissions come from commercial airlines, which operate far more flights.

That’s not to excuse the impact of private flying, but to provide context. Like the rest of the aviation industry, private aviation is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, with fuel being a key focus.

Advancements in fuel technology and regulatory changes are helping the sector move towards lower emissions.  How are fuels changing and what steps are being taken in the industry?

What Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a broad term covering alternative fuels derived from non-fossil sources, such as:

• Used cooking oils and waste fats
• Agricultural and forestry residues
• Municipal waste
• Power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels made using renewable electricity, water, and captured CO₂

Unlike traditional jet fuel, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle. It is classified as a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft engines without modification.

The Role of SAF in Private Aviation

The private jet sector is under exactly the same scrutiny as commercial aviation, if not more, due to its potentially high emissions per passenger. In response, manufacturers, operators, and fuel suppliers are adopting SAF, with plans to increase the use of greener fuels over the coming years.

• Major business jet manufacturers like Gulfstream and Bombardier have tested and certified aircraft to run on blends of SAF.
• Jet fuel suppliers, including Shell and Neste, are expanding SAF production and supply to major private jet airports.
• Charter operators are offering SAF options, often at a premium, allowing clients to reduce their carbon footprint on specific flights.

However, SAF usage in both private and commercial aviation remains minimal compared to conventional fuel due to cost, availability, and infrastructure challenges.

Government Regulations and Mandates

Governments have introduced regulations to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

• In the EU: The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation mandates a minimum of 2% SAF usage by 2025, rising to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. These rules apply to all flights departing from EU airports, including private jets.
• In the UK: A SAF mandate came into effect in January 2025, starting at 2% of total UK jet fuel demand, increasing linearly to 10% in 2030 and then to 22% in 2040.
• With this initial target of 10% SAF by 2030 the UK government is also supporting domestic SAF production through incentives and funding initiatives.

These mandates place the responsibility on fuel suppliers, ensuring that all aircraft refuelling at regulated airports—including private jets—use fuel that meets SAF blend requirements.

The Challenges of SAF Adoption

Despite the benefits, SAF adoption faces significant barriers:

1. Cost

SAF is two to five times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, making widespread adoption a financial challenge. Until production scales up, prices are unlikely to drop significantly.

2. Limited Availability

SAF production is currently low, meeting less than 0.1% of global aviation fuel demand. While facilities are expanding, there isn’t enough supply to meet the growing demand from both commercial and private aviation.

3. Blending Restrictions

SAF cannot yet be used in its pure form—it must be blended with fossil jet fuel. Current blends are limited to a 50% maximum, meaning full decarbonization via SAF alone isn’t possible with today’s technology.

4. Infrastructure Limitations

Some airports lack the infrastructure to store and distribute SAF. Expansion is underway, but it remains a logistical hurdle.

Other Low-emission Solutions for Private Jets

Beyond SAF, the industry is exploring other ways to reduce its carbon footprint:

• Electric and hybrid-electric aircraft – While not yet viable for long-haul private jet travel, short-range electric aircraft could be an option in the coming years.
• Hydrogen-powered jets – Hydrogen fuel is being researched for aviation, but widespread adoption is at least a decade away.
• Carbon offset programs – though these are sometimes seen as a band-aid rather than a real solution, however they can be implemented right away.

The Bottom Line

Private jets account for around 2% of global aviation emissions. The high per-passenger emissions stem from fewer passengers on board.  However, regular commercial flyers, especially those taking short-haul trips can accumulate a similar large carbon footprint by the number of flights taken per year.

Regulatory pressure and industry initiatives are driving progress in fuel technology, with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) currently the most viable option for reducing emissions. However, adoption remains slow due to cost and supply constraints.

Some Statistics

When discussing aviation emissions, private jets often attract significant scrutiny due to their higher per passenger carbon footprint. However, commercial aviation—by virtue of its scale—contributes the vast majority of global aviation emissions. Understanding the numbers provides useful context for the wider conversation around sustainable travel.

Fuel Burn and Passenger Load

– A private jet carrying 2-4 passengers can burn a similar amount of fuel per hour as a small commercial aircraft carrying over 100 passengers.

– This results in a higher per-passenger footprint for private flights, though the overall emissions from commercial aviation remain far greater due to the sheer volume of flights and passengers globally.

Frequency and Distance of Flights

– Private aviation often involves shorter, point-to-point journeys. These shorter flights can be carbon-intensive due to fuel consumption during take-off and climb.

– Commercial airlines, while generally more efficient per passenger, also operate extensive short-haul networks. Frequent short-haul flights, even on commercial aircraft, contribute massively to overall emissions.

Aircraft Utilisation and Efficiency

– Airlines typically aim for high load factors to maximise efficiency, although many fly with a significant number of empty seats. Private jets may also operate with empty legs and fewer passengers.

– On commercial airlines seating class also plays a role in emissions. First-class and business-class seats on commercial flights can have a carbon footprint 4 or 5 times higher than that of economy passengers, approaching emissions levels comparable to some private flying.

Comparative Emissions

– Studies show that private jets can emit up to 20 times more CO₂ per passenger than commercial flights.

– On short-haul routes, private flights may produce 5-14 times more CO₂ per passenger compared to economy class, though the disparity narrows considerably when compared to premium cabins.

Context Matters

– While private aviation accounts for approximately 2% of global aviation emissions, commercial flights—particularly frequent short-haul trips—collectively represent 98%.

– Aviation’s contribution (both commercial and private flights) to global energy related CO2 emissions is 2.5% as a whole, compared to 75% from fossil fuels and 8% from industry and waste.

– Frequent flyers on commercial flights can individually create as much CO2 as 2 or 3 flights on a private jet.