Industry Insights
Brian Tanis
January 15, 2026
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has been the airline industry's most talked-about solution to reducing carbon emissions. But as we enter 2026, it's worth asking: how much progress has actually been made, and what does it mean for corporate travel programs trying to meet their sustainability goals?
SAF production has increased significantly, but it still represents less than 1% of total aviation fuel consumption globally. Production capacity is growing, with several new facilities coming online in 2025 and 2026, but meeting industry targets will require dramatically scaling up production.
For companies reporting Scope 3 emissions, understanding the actual SAF usage on their flights matters. Some airlines allocate SAF usage to corporate buyers who purchase SAF certificates, allowing companies to claim reduced emissions even if the fuel isn't physically used on their specific flights.
While SAF is important, it's not the only lever for reducing aviation emissions. Fleet modernization, operational efficiency, and route optimization all contribute. ITS's Carbon Calculator now includes SAF allocation data from participating airlines, giving travel managers a more complete picture of their program's environmental impact.
Don't wait for SAF to solve the problem. Focus on the reduction strategies you can control today: choosing direct flights, preferring newer aircraft, consolidating trips where possible, and setting meaningful carbon targets for your travel program.
July 3, 2023
Decreasing carbon emissions means increasing demand
January 18, 2023
What carbon footprint does your flight make?
September 17, 2022
Carbon emissions calculations – The sequel