Singapore Airlines and Scoot aim for 5% SAF use by 2030
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its affiliate, Scoot, part of the SIA Group, have set an ambitious target to incorporate sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for 5% of their total fuel consumption by 2030. This initiative is a critical component of their strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
SAFs are considered a vital tool in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, potentially cutting emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. SIA Group’s commitment to SAFs complements their ongoing investments in new, more efficient aircraft and enhanced operational efficiencies.
Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, emphasised the significance of this milestone in their sustainability journey. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts with global partners and stakeholders to increase the production and utilisation of SAFs and other decarbonisation measures.
The group is actively engaging with fuel suppliers to explore opportunities for SAF procurement, with further details to be announced later. SIA’s involvement in Singapore’s International Advisory Panel (IAP) for developing a sustainable air hub blueprint and its participation in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) initiatives reflect its commitment to the industry’s sustainable transformation.
SIA’s history with SAFs includes operating ‘green package’ flights from San Francisco to Singapore in 2017, incorporating SAFs, fuel-efficient aircraft, and optimised flight operations. In 2020, a partnership with Stockholm’s Swedavia Airport allowed SIA to use a blend of jet fuel and SAF on flights between Stockholm and Moscow.
A recent 20-month SAF pilot concluded in September 2023, involving SIA, CAAS, and GenZero. This pilot involved importing and blending 1,000 tonnes of neat SAF in Singapore, used in SIA and Scoot flights. The project generated 1,000 SAF credits, equivalent to about 2,500 tonnes of CO2 reductions, offered to corporates and freight forwarders to lower their carbon footprint and support the emerging SAF industry.
The pilot demonstrated Singapore’s readiness for SAFs and the feasibility of transparent and trusted transactions in SAF credits. SIA is sharing its insights with industry partners to promote SAF adoption and build credibility for the Book & Claim system.
