By Shadrack Nyakoe
Kenya Airways (KQ) has been designated as the sole African airline to spearhead the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, marking a significant milestone in African aviation.
This follows KQ’s recent accolade for pioneering the use of SAF on a long-haul flight from Africa to Europe in October 2023, earning the Most Impactful Breakthrough award. The pilot flight tested SAF use within Africa, generating valuable data to inform policy, regulations, and industry best practices.
“By contributing to the SAF registry’s development, KQ plays a crucial role in building trust in SAF as a viable solution to reduce aviation’s environmental impact,” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka.
SAF is expected to account for up to 65% of the carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero emissions in air transport by 2050. The SAF registry, set to launch in the first quarter of 2025, will enable airlines globally to purchase SAF and claim its environmental benefits for regulatory compliance.
“SAF is key to aviation’s decarbonization,” stated Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Airlines are ready to use every drop of SAF. The SAF Registry will address the critical needs of stakeholders in ramping up SAF production.”
Governments require a trusted system to track SAF quality and quantities. SAF producers need accurate accounting for delivery and decarbonization. Corporate customers must transparently account for their Scope 3 emissions, and airlines must confirm the environmental benefits of their SAF purchases.
The registry’s development is supported by seventeen national airlines, the IAG airline group, six national authorities, OEMs Airbus, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and fuel producer World Energy. These collaborations ensure compliance with regulations from civil aviation authorities such as ICAO’s CORSIA scheme and the EU ETS, promoting transparency and emissions reductions.
The focus on compliance, transparency, and government collaboration will create a robust system accelerating SAF use and paving the way for a sustainable aviation future.
