Air-Craft comprises 8 entities

UAE's first research alliance announced to expand sustainable aviation fuel production

The alliance is the first initiative of its kind that brings together entities across SAF's value chain. From the source

UAE-based organisations and companies have announced the launch of the Air-CRAFT Alliance, which focuses on the development, production and scaling up of sustainable aviation fuel technologies (SAF). The initiative coincides with the UAE's Year of Sustainability and the Third International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF3) held in Dubai recently.

The Air-Craft alliance, or the UAE Centre for Renewable and Advanced Aviation Fuel Technologies, is the first initiative of its kind to bring together entities across SAF's value chain, including policymakers, regulators, fuel producers, academia, researchers, aircraft manufacturers and air carriers.

The UAE-based alliance will collaborate with relevant international entities and welcome their participation in development efforts, while being supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

Decarbonization

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, said that "the initiative enjoys great support from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, for its active role in supporting the decarbonization of the aviation sector, which helps make it resilient and sustainable in the future."

He added: "The civil aviation sector in the UAE is of paramount importance thanks to its assets that have made it a major contributor to the country's GDP, and its crucial role in our ambitious efforts to reach climate neutrality targets by 2050, and that in order to achieve the UAE's commitment to reaching climate neutrality, emissions must be reduced in all areas, especially the aviation sector."

Sustainable fuels

For his part, the Minister of Economy and President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, said: "The launch of Air-CRAFT during the Third Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in Dubai translates the UAE's commitment to accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, by linking the concerned parties from government agencies, the private sector and academics to enhance joint cooperation and make tangible progress in this path, in line with the UAE's vision to shift towards a more flexible economic model. and supports the global commitment to reach net zero emissions in the aviation sector by 2050."

Bin Touq continued: "This alliance is the largest and first of its kind in the sustainable aviation fuel industry, and we look forward to making a significant positive impact through it."

Alliance Entities

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates Airline's Senior Vice President of International, Government and Environmental Affairs, said: "Emirates supports initiatives that contribute to the deployment of sustainable fuels. We have contributed to the development of this type of fuel in the UAE, and two roadmaps for the conversion of energy to liquid fuels, and we believe that our country is uniquely positioned to lead this field with its policies, technologies and infrastructure capabilities."

Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of ENOC Group, said: "The initiative underscores our commitment to the development of sustainable aviation fuels and, through collaboration in research and innovation, contributes to driving the aviation industry towards a more sustainable future, in line with the UAE's vision and its unwavering pursuit of sustainability and environmental care. Mohammed Al Bulooki, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "For more than a decade, Etihad Airways has been committed to leading the development of sustainable aviation fuel supply chains in the UAE and beyond. Since 2019, we have launched the most comprehensive aviation sustainability initiative with the Greenliner Program in collaboration with Boeing, which targets all aspects of the value chain."

Hanan Balala, Senior Vice President, New Energies at ADNOC, said: "ADNOC is working with its customers to support their efforts to transition to the new energy ecosystem. We look forward to working with our partners to make the most of sustainable aviation fuel technologies that can reduce emissions of this vital sector faster."

Mohammed Abdulqader Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Green Hydrogen at Masdar, said: "We look forward to collaborating with members of this initiative to support research work and achieve the desired results in accordance with the roadmap for the development of sustainable aviation fuel, in addition to growing and developing our business in the field of green hydrogen, which will be a key pillar for the expansion of sustainable aviation fuel production on a commercial scale, and a key element that supports the achievement of the objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050."

Dr. Steve Griffiths, Senior Vice President for Research and Development and Professor of Practice at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: "The initiative aligns seamlessly with our research objectives, and Khalifa University seeks to provide all its resources to support and develop technology, human capital and all research activities related to this initiative." Brian Moran, vice president of global sustainability policy and partnerships at Boeing, said: "Building a successful local economy for sustainable aviation fuel requires collaboration across the value chain, and we are proud to have helped catalyze and now work with this prestigious group on the initiative to drive innovation in sustainable aviation fuel in the UAE and beyond."

Mohamed Muhaisen, President and CEO of Honeywell in the Middle East and North Africa, said: "We are committed to supporting the UAE's efforts to enhance and develop its sustainable aviation fuel production capabilities, and through our partnership with our strategic partners at Aircraft, we are committed to strengthening the UAE's global position in spreading pioneering innovations in the energy sector."