Shai Weiss said worldwide SAF projects would need to be ramped up to this level just to achieve a target for airlines to operate using a 10% SAF mix by 2030.
Weiss said 40 million tonnes would be required by 2030. “That gives you the scale of the problem,” he said.
Speaking at Airlines 2021 on Monday (22 November), the carrier’s chief executive criticised the UK government and oil company representatives for not taking part in a sustainability debate.
“We put billions of dollars into the oil majors, they have the capital, they have the ability to transform. We have a major part to play but we can’t do it alone. In the UK, there are zero SAF plants. How many are in the approval process? I think still zero.”
Weiss said the government’s £180 million investment into SAF research was not enough, calling for the £3-4 billion raised annually through Air Passenger Duty to be diverted to sustainable propulsion projects.
“Direct subsidies to fossil fuel are half a trillion dollars per annum, surely we can divert that [APD],” he said.
Weiss also rounded on the government for a lack of clarity in its message to travellers ahead of peaks.
“I would not say ‘in January we are going to do a big review and it may or may not remove lateral flow testing’," said Weiss, referring to comments made earlier in the day by aviation minister Robert Courts.
"I would say if the level [of Covid infection] is like it is now, I would consider in 90 days’ time removal of the passenger locator form and testing.
“Consumers need to trust the government not to change the goalposts. Airlines will do 10-20% of their business in the next 30-40 days – how about some clarity and certainty to allow people to interact with our industry?”
