The so-called SAF or "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" are different types of fuels used in jet aircraft that need to meet certain social, economic and environmental criteria and considerations, aimed at reducing the impact of aviation on the atmosphere.
To be considered SAF, a fuel has to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions between 50 and 60% and its raw material must be from land and techniques that do not affect diversity.
During a conference on energy transition held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this week, executives from large aviation companies have addressed the decarbonization of air transport.
The Director of Sustainability of Iberia, Teresa Parejo, stated that the production of synthetic fuel for aviation (SAF) is an opportunity for the Canary Islands, and added that, according to a study, its manufacture could generate 270,000 jobs and 56,000 million euros in wealth in Spain.
Parejo has argued that aviation generates employment and prosperity and that the production of SAF, a biofuel that does not generate CO2 emissions, is something that should be valued.
The director of the Spanish airline has emphasized that SAF is produced from urban waste, which would also offer the Canary Islands a way to solve the problem derived from its storage and treatment. In her opinion, Spain could be a leader in Europe in the production of this fuel and also export it.
According to Parejo, the challenge of decarbonization involves more alliances between companies in the sector, but it cannot be carried out without the collaboration of the Government.
SAF is "the revelation" to eliminate CO2 emissions from the aviation sector, but without aid its use cannot be extended, since now the demand is less than 1% and this is because its price is "extremely high".
"SAF will help achieve up to 80% of decarbonization"
The director of sustainability of Air Europa, José Antonio Salazar, who has also participated in the conference, has stressed that it will be "complicated" to meet the objectives set by the EU for the reduction of emissions if there is no aid.
The head of aviation of Repsol, Óliver Fernández, has stressed that in 2050 the goal of zero emissions has to be reached and that, for this, SAF will help to achieve between 78 and 80% of decarbonization; the efficiency of the engines will contribute 15% and the rest will be achieved with the improvement in the efficiency of the routes, the approach, landing and take-off of the aircraft.
"The challenge of aviation is enormous" and many actors and countries are involved in it, it is not easy, but the important thing is that the objectives are clear and there is connivance in the sector to collaborate, Fernández has affirmed; although, for Salazar, "Brussels is going too fast and with measures that are not possible".
The director of Air Europa has also stressed that pollution from air transport accounts for 2% of the global, but is "tremendously regulated". And "demonized", added his colleague from Iberia.
The head of sustainability of Iberia has lamented that the sector has not been able to explain its importance and that it is "essential and strategic", not only for tourism but for the interconnection of territories.
"You cannot look for a future without aviation, but the Government and Europe do not realize it", added Parejo, who has also emphasized the wealth and well-being that it enables to countries that need it and that it is necessary to find solutions in technology.
Not understanding this is an obstacle for Europe, which has "established itself as a leader in the energy transition", he added.
Parejo has cited as an example the United States for the aid it offers to the production of sustainable fuel and has insisted on the opportunity to bet in Spain for the development of the SAF industry.
The Director of Institutional Affairs of Ryanair, Davir Simón, has also warned about aviation taxes in Europe, which make routes outside the EU more attractive, such as flights from Dublin (Ireland) to Agadir (Morocco), and has considered that the sustainability policies of the aviation sector should "go to the sound of what companies need".
The general coordinator of Binter, Juan Ramsden, has also defended the use of SAF, but has stressed that its price is four and six times higher than normal fuel, and has agreed that its manufacture is an opportunity for Spain and for the Canary Islands.