Sustainable aviation fuel

The use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is central to achieving our interim targets and net zero by 2050 goal. With long haul routes accounting for the majority of the Group’s emissions profile, SAF is currently the only viable technology/decarbonisation option available for Qantas' flights.

Our target is for 10% of our fuel use to come from SAF by 2030 and approximately 60% by 2050.

The use of SAF is increasing globally - particularly in Europe, the UK, and the US - as governments and industry work together to find ways to steadily decarbonise the aviation sector.

Qantas has a number of initiatives in train to help kickstart a domestic SAF industry, including our $400 million Climate Fund, and Corporate SAF program.

The Group is part of the Federal Government’s Jet Zero Council and continues to advocate for a SAF blending mandate as part of a broader framework of industry policies, similar to those already announced in other jurisdictions. 

To support this, the Group engaged ICF International, in partnership with Airbus, to model a policy roadmap for Australia. The Developing a SAF industry to decarbonise Australian aviation report (PDF) recommends the government:

• Implement a SAF mandate.
• Deploy $1.5 billion in capital grants and production incentives tied to carbon emission reduction. 

This policy suite has the potential to contribute over $12 billion to the economy by 2040 creating or sustaining over 70,000 jobs.

SAF is non-conventionally derived aviation fuel that can be made from sustainable biogenic sources, not just cooking oils, but also council waste, plant oils, agricultural residues and non-biological sources.

Biogenic SAF has the potential to reduce emissions on a lifecycle basis, typically by up to 80% compared with conventional jet fuel. Non-biogenic SAF or synthetic fuel is a pathway which utilises carbon dioxide, hydrogen and significant amounts of renewable electricity to synthesise a liquid fuel with favourable sustainability characteristics (emissions can be reduced on a lifecycle basis by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels).

In addition to the reduction of total life cycle CO2 emissions, SAF reduces direct emissions: particulate matter by up to 90% and sulphur by 100%, compared with conventional jet fuel. Reducing these emissions improves local air quality, particularly in areas with a high density of flight movements, such as airports.

^{Image: Key SAF production pathways. View full size graphic (jpg).}

Further information on our SAF strategy and how we're supporting the development of a local SAF industry can be found in our Sustainability Report.

• In December 2021, Qantas became the first Australian airline to purchase SAF on an ongoing basis, which is being delivered at London Heathrow Airport.
• In March 2022, the Qantas Group entered into an agreement to purchase SAF for delivery in California (Los Angeles and San Francisco). 
• As part of The Group’s widebody renewal program with both Airbus and Boeing, Qantas will secure access to up to 500 million litres of SAF per annum from 2028.*

This has the potential to meet up to 90% of the Group’s interim SAF target for 2030.

Our program supports the development of an Australian domestic SAF sector by providing a strong corporate demand signal for SAF while helping corporations to tackle their business travel emissions.

As a member of the Qantas SAF Coalition, corporations contribute to direct emission reductions by contributing to the incremental cost of SAF being purchased by Qantas.

These partnerships are crucial to making SAF affordable, which can be several times more expensive than traditional jet fuel.