Turkey eyeing SAF mandate from 2030

Turkey is currently developing plans to mandate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage for airlines and jet fuel suppliers to reduce aviation emissions by 5%, according to the country’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Under the planned rules, the airlines will have to use enough SAF to reduce 5% emissions from their operations. The country will require jet fuel suppliers in the country to procure SAF to meet this goal. Also, the national fuel refiners SOCAR and TUPRAS will also be required to produce SAF within the country.

Airline operators must load 90% of the SAF they need for international flights in Turkey, the authority said.

Already, Tupras has announced plans to produce 20,000 metric tons of SAF at one of its major plants in 2026. The company plans to increase production to 400,000 tons by building a new unit at its Izmir refinery, pending a final investment decision.

In addition, DB Tarimsal Enerji, a local biofuel firm, also aims to produce 100,000 tons of SAF at a new plant.

Turkey’s jet fuel demand fell 4% last year to 6.26 million tons, or 135,000 barrels per day, according to the country’s energy regulator.