The UAE’s SAF Momentum Signals a Turning Point for Global Aviation Decarbonisation
The UAE is rapidly positioning itself as one of the most impactful countries for the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). What was long-term ambition is now translating into tangible project pipelines, policy signals, and cross-sector alignment that place the UAE firmly on the global SAF map.
Most notably, UAE is launching 13 new SAF projects as part of a national strategy to achieve 700 million litres of annual production and a 1% voluntary SAF blend by 2031. Taken together, these initiatives signal a clear shift: SAF is no longer a peripheral decarbonisation pathway in the region. It is becoming a strategic pillar of the national aviation and energy transition.
Why the UAE Is Uniquely Positioned to Scale SAF
The UAE’s advantage lies in the intersection of three critical factors: demand, infrastructure, and energy. As a global aviation hub, the country hosts some of the world’s busiest long-haul routes and largest international carriers. This concentration of aviation activity creates sustained, long-term demand for jet fuel, and increasingly for lower-carbon alternatives.
At the same time, the UAE’s energy system provides a strong foundation for SAF and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels. Abundant solar resources, competitive renewable power costs, and an existing industrial base make hydrogen-derived fuels increasingly viable. When combined with advanced refining capabilities, ports, storage, and logistics infrastructure, the region is well placed to support multiple SAF pathways: from HEFA and co-processing through to eSAF.
From Announcements to an Emerging Project Pipeline
The announcement of the 13 SAF projects is particularly significant. The projects are expected to span different technologies and feedstocks, indicating that the UAE is not betting on a single solution, but rather building a clearly diversified SAF ecosystem. This mirrors how other major energy transitions have successfully scaled. Through parallel experimentation, competition, and collaboration across sectors.
Crucially, these projects are being developed alongside broader national strategies on hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, and energy diversification. SAF is not being treated exclusively as an aviation issue, but as part of a wider economic and industrial opportunity which can attract investment, develop local expertise, and support export-oriented markets.
Policy, Infrastructure, and the Speed of Scale
While momentum is clear, the next phase will determine how quickly projects move from announcement to execution. Policy certainty remains central - and crucially, is being developed. Investors and developers consistently emphasise the need for long-term clarity around sustainability criteria, lifecycle accounting, incentives, and market access. Clear, stable frameworks are essential to unlock financing and enable offtake agreements—particularly for capital-intensive facilities.
Infrastructure is the other critical enabler. SAF production cannot happen in isolation: it relies on hydrogen supply, renewable power, water availability, CO₂ sourcing, storage, blending facilities, and export or distribution routes. Coordinating these elements across multiple stakeholders requires early planning and alignment.
The UAE’s track record in delivering large-scale infrastructure quickly is a significant advantage, but timelines remain tight. Aligning aviation decarbonisation goals with infrastructure development cycles will be one of the defining challenges of the next five years.
A Regional Hub With Global Implications
With Europe advancing mandates and the aviation sector facing mounting pressure, demand for SAF will begin to outstrip supply in many regions. The UAE’s geographic position creates the potential for it to become a central hub in future SAF trade flows.
This raises questions on how sustainability standards align across regions, how certificates are recognised, how carbon accounting works for international fuel movements, and how cross-border offtake agreements are structured.
These are just some of the commercial questions that airlines, fuel producers, investors, and governments must grapple with today.
Why SAF MENA Is the Place to Engage
As the UAE’s SAF ecosystem moves from ambition to implementation, industry stakeholders align on these points.
The Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress, taking place 10–12 February 2026 in Dubai, is designed for this alignment.
Bringing together government leaders, airlines, fuel producers, energy companies, investors, EPCs, and technology providers, SAF MENA focuses on the practical realities of scaling SAF, LCAF, and sFuels in the region.
With the UAE’s SAF announcements marking a clear inflection point, the Congress offers an opportunity to understand what is happening now, influence what comes next, and connect with partners driving projects forward.