Flights to get more expensive as airlines look to go green, say experts

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Air travel costs are set to rise as airlines shift towards Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, experts warn. Passengers may have to bear the brunt of increased prices as airlines seek to recover the higher costs associated with SAF. However, there is optimism that prices may eventually decrease as the industry scales up production. Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, stressed that it's unrealistic to expect airlines to absorb all the costs of this transition. He highlighted the importance of customers contributing to the sustainability efforts through higher ticket prices. The industry aims to triple SAF production this year, but currently, SAF meets only 0.5% of global airline fuel needs. Despite projected record revenues for the industry, net profit margins remain thin, highlighting the challenges airlines face in recovering from the pandemic.