AeroTrail

Introduction.

The air transport industry will need approximately 500 million tonnes (Mt) of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually by 2050 to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions, yet global production in 2025 is estimated at only 2 Mt. A recent study by International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Worley Consulting projects that SAF production could reach 400 Mt by 2050 under its core forecast, indicating that while the target is achievable, significant challenges remain. The study identifies that the main bottleneck is not feedstock availability, but the slow pace of technology deployment, requiring multiple technology routes for both bio-SAF and e-SAF. Achieving net zero will demand urgent acceleration in technology readiness, expanded access to sustainable feedstocks, and robust policy frameworks to ensure investment certainty, emphasizing that coordinated global action is essential to meet aviation’s sustainability goals.

Conferences & Events.

The 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly is currently underway in Montreal, Canada, from 23 September to 3 October 2025, under the theme “Safe Skies, Sustainable Future.” The triennial gathering brought together over 3,000 delegates from 174 Member States and international organizations to set global aviation policies and priorities. Key highlights included the election of new ICAO Council members, with Botswana ratifying protocols to expand the Council from 36 to 40 members and the Air Navigation Commission from 19 to 21. Africa emphasized greater representation with eight candidate countries, while discussions focused on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, accelerating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption, and enhancing aviation safety standards. The Assembly also addressed geopolitical and cybersecurity challenges affecting global aviation, underscoring the need for international cooperation to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable future for the industry.