How IATA is Connecting Airlines with SAF Producers
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Matchmaker platform, a tool aimed at fostering connections between airlines and producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
By matching requests from airlines with available SAF supplies, this platform seeks to promote more sustainable aviation practices.
This initiative allows airlines and SAF suppliers to engage in discussions to negotiate specific terms, such as pricing, upon a successful match.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist, says: "To reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need an accessible, transparent, liquid and efficient SAF market. The SAF Matchmaker is another example of the work that IATA is putting in place to create a fully functioning market for SAF."
Addressing market challenges
The SAF Matchmaker platform is designed to tackle three major challenges within the market:
- Efficiency: By centralising the platform, SAF procurement becomes more streamlined, enabling faster connections without incurring extra costs. This efficiency is expected to enhance the voluntary market for SAF purchasing.
- Connectivity: The platform allows SAF producers and suppliers to list available or planned SAF volumes, while airlines can express interest in purchasing specific volumes. Actual trades occur outside the platform.
- Visibility: It offers detailed information about SAF availability, including volumes, feedstock, production location and technology, emissions reductions and compliance with relevant carbon offsetting schemes like the ICAO CORSIA and the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive.
By simplifying SAF procurement and enhancing the visibility of available options, the platform encourages further development of the SAF market.
Detailed information regarding SAF, such as volumes and feedstock, alongside emissions data and compliance certifications, is available for participants to make informed decisions.
"The SAF Matchmaker platform will accelerate the uptake of SAF by reducing the costs and complexity that airlines face when searching for SAF suppliers," said Marie.
The platform is hosted on IATA's Aviation Energy Hub, providing a centralised digital space with practical tools for aviation energy management.
SAF's growing importance
Sustainable aviation fuel is increasingly recognised as a vital element in reducing emissions within the aviation sector.
According to IATA, SAF could account for up to 65% of the needed reductions to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.
To illustrate the growing importance of SAF, a major partnership has been formed between FedEx and Neste, a leading SAF producer.
This collaboration marks a significant step in sustainable transportation, with FedEx committing to a substantial supply chain development at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
FedEx has agreed to receive 8,800 tonnes of blended SAF at LAX, marking the largest SAF purchase by a US cargo line at the airport to date.
Richard Smith, Chief Operating Officer, International and CEO, Airline at FedEx, outlined the company's deep commitment: "As the world's preeminent express transportation company, our initial US deployment of this fuel advances our sustainability goals and bolsters the aviation industry's efforts to source and use more SAF."