SAF: Sustainable aviation fuel. Simply explained.

Flying needs fuel. SAF offers a way to replace some of the conventional fuel and reduce the associated climate impact. On request, essential.aero checks which SAF options are available for your charter flight.

What is SAF?

SAF stands for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Unlike conventional jet fuel made from crude oil, it can be produced from suitable waste materials, such as used cooking oil. There are also synthetic production methods. SAF is generally blended with conventional jet fuel. [1]

Approved blends can be used in existing aircraft. Your experience on board remains the same. [3]

What difference does it make?

From production to use in the aircraft, SAF can cause fewer greenhouse-gas emissions than conventional fuel. The saving depends on what it is made from and how it is produced. Burning SAF still releases CO₂, and flying has other climate effects too. It does not make a flight emissions-free. [2]

SAF can help aviation use less fossil fuel without replacing the entire fleet. Supply is still limited, however, and it costs more than conventional fuel. [3]

Your choice: 25, 50, 75 or 100%.

Tell us your preferred share in your flight enquiry. We check SAF options for a quarter, half, three quarters or all of the fuel requirement agreed for your booking, subject to availability.

These percentages describe a quantity of SAF, not the reduction in emissions. Choosing 50% SAF does not mean that your flight produces 50% fewer emissions. Your offer explains what the share covers, how the SAF is provided and what it costs.

How is SAF provided?

• In your aircraft: where available and approved, the operator can refuel with a SAF blend. We check what is possible for your flight.
• Through Book & Claim: you pay for a corresponding quantity of SAF to be used elsewhere in aviation. Its use and the climate benefit allocated to your booking are documented, with safeguards against counting the same benefit twice. Your own aircraft does not necessarily receive that fuel. [4]

For 75 or 100%, we normally assess Book & Claim, since the amount of SAF that may be physically blended into fuel is limited. A 100% allocation does not promise pure SAF in your aircraft’s tanks or an emissions-free flight. [1]

What do you need to do?

Send us your route, travel dates, passenger numbers and preferred SAF share. We check both options with our partners and explain availability, additional cost and documentation before you book. You then decide whether to include SAF.