Which European airlines use the most Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
October 16, 2025
As Europe’s ReFuelEU regulation comes into force, mandating minimum blends of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), airlines are under pressure to comply while also differentiating themselves in decarbonization efforts.
IBA’s Sustainability Watch: October 2025 provides a snapshot of how major European airline groups performed in 2024 in terms of SAF use on intra-EU flights.
How European airlines used SAF in 2024
According to IBA’s NetZero platform data, SAF adoption among European airlines is divided. Early movers that have integrated SAF into their fuel supply at measurable levels, but other carriers are still behind.
IAG (International Airlines Group) airlines lead the way in the adoption of SAF. In 2024, IAG achieved an average SAF blend of approximately 3.9% for its intra-EU operations, which makes it the most aggressive adopter so far.
Air France–KLM is not far behind, with an average blend of nearly 2.5%.
SAS recorded a blend of roughly 1.1 %, while Finnair’s uptake was modest at around 0.4 %.
Lufthansa Group airlines have been slow in SAF deployment, with a group-wide average of nearly 0.2% in 2024.
IBA describes the low-cost segment (Ryanair and Wizz Air) as having “very limited” use of SAF. Still, both carriers have set ambitious goals for 2030: 12.5% for Ryanair and 10% for Wizz. They have also inked supply agreements to help meet those targets as SAF availability improves.
Slow progress, but airline SAF strategy is developing
The numbers for 2024 show limited progress. With the EU’s SAF blending mandates, airlines across Europe will face mounting pressure to accelerate their efforts.
IBA describes early SAF adoption as “more tactical than reactive.” While carriers using SAF face higher costs than their peers who rely on conventional fuel, the advantage of early adoption is in securing a limited supply, building credibility for their sustainability claims, and taking advantage of the EU Emissions Trading System incentive.
“Groups such as IAG and Air France–KLM are already demonstrating how long-term contracts can deliver both compliance benefits and a foundation for scaling towards 2030,” IBA states. “For slower adopters, the risk is that supply constraints and carbon price pressures will narrow future options, forcing later procurement at higher cost.
“With the first ReFuelEU mandate beginning this year, 2025 credits will be a clearer test of execution. The advantage will rest with those treating SAF not as a short-term burden but as a strategic asset.”
Ensuring an adequate supply of SAF
Currently, even airlines eager to increase the use of SAF may encounter physical limitations in feedstock, production capacity, and logistics. A study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Worley Consulting demonstrated there is enough sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
However, the study found that the diversity of SAF production sources is hindered due to a slow rollout of technology. Currently, the only commercial-scale SAF production facilities utilise HEFA technology, such as converting used cooking oil into SAF.
There is also competition to acquire SAF feedstocks for other potential users. IATA says government policies should allocate biomass feedstock to aviation to ensure an adequate supply.
According to IATA, the main challenges are:
- Increasing supply chain infrastructure, identifying new sustainable sources, and providing the feedstocks identified for SAF production to the air transport industry.
- Accelerating the adoption of new SAF technologies, including Power-to-Liquids (PtL), which require reliable access to low-cost renewable electricity, hydrogen, and carbon capture infrastructure.
- Creating a fully functioning SAF market through coordinated government policies and investment.
- Fostering regional leadership among North America, Brazil, Europe, India, China, and ASEAN to drive SAF output.
- Inspiring energy industry investment in SAF capacity, supporting technology commercialisation, and aligning business strategies with global decarbonization goals.
For now, IAG and Air France–KLM lead the way in SAF adoption in Europe, but whether they can maintain or widen this lead will depend heavily on how the SAF market evolves, how policies develop, and how quickly lagging carriers can catch up.
