Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will make only a marginal contribution to reducing aircraft emissions before 2030, according to a new report published yesterday by Carbon Tracker. The UK-based independent financial think tank’s&nbsp;“Fuel Disclosure” report concluded that alternatives to jet-A are “unlikely to make a significant dent” in emissions this decade.
The group’s analysts concluded that high costs and limited feedstocks will curtail the impact of SAF. “Even if all existing, under development, and announced projects operate at full capacity, [SAF] production would only supply around 5% of global jet fuel demand and meet less than half of the expected growth in total jet fuel consumption,” Carbon Tracker concluded.
Apart from high production and distribution costs for SAF, the report said that perceived technology, feedstock, and policy risks are constraining funding for the sector, which the report defines as “weak bankability.” Other factors identified as hurdles to progress include regulatory uncertainty, competition for feedstocks with other sectors, and uncertainty over how much SAF aircraft operators will buy, resulting in revenue uncertainty for producers.
“On top of high costs, offtaker hesitation, and financing constraints, most alternative jet fuels are also saddled with a handful of environmental downsides,” commented Saidrasul Ashrafkhanov, lead author for the report. “These fuels may someday have a larger role in decarbonizing aviation, but the burden of proof is on the industry to show that it can find a pathway that will deliver alternative jet fuel that’s at once sustainable, abundant, and feasible.”
Carbon Tracker is urging companies to “right-size” the role of SAF in their businesses, prioritizing “pathways with robust sustainability credentials and clearer cost trajectories” while avoiding “options with weak life cycle performance or material nature/food security risks.” The company argued that for flights on routes of less than 500 kilometers (270 nm), the priority should be on investing in battery-electric, hydrogen-electric, and hybrid-electric aircraft.
Sustainability specialists like&nbsp;4Air are focused on helping aircraft operators, airports and other stakeholders to pursue multiple&nbsp;components towards&nbsp;decarbonization. According to 4Air, in addition to SAF, these will include&nbsp;carbon offsets, the introduction of new aircraft and propulsion technology (fleet renewal and electrification),&nbsp;and&nbsp;improvements to infrastructure and operational efficiencies (including air traffic management).

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Report Sees Minimal Role for Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Cutting Emissions

Carbon Tracker urges investment in electric propulsion for short-haul flights

Carbon Tracker’s Fuel Disclosure report cites multiple factors that it says undermine the impact SAF has in cutting emissions from flights in the short term.

Report Sees Minimal Role for SAF in Cutting Emissions

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Local company Fabrum is partnered with electric aircraft developers AMSL Aero and Stralis

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

In 2024, 0.6% of all aviation fuel supplied in the European Union was SAF

EASA Publishes First Report On SAF Use In Europe

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Company intends to turn carbon dioxide from air into electro-synthetic sustainable aviation fuel

Airco’s e-SAF Facility To Validate Scalable Technology

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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Airlines and Safran Back New SAF Production Process

Kerry Lynch

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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Creed Fuels Expands into Aviation To Serve Rural Ops

Amy Wilder

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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