Türkiye sets SAF Mandate to Cut Aviation Emissions
July 1, 2025
In line with other European nations, Türkiye’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate in a bid to cut aviation emissions by 5% by 2030.
The planned regulations aim to align with the UN International Civil Aviation Organization’s emissions reduction scheme, which will become mandatory in 2027.
Meeting the mandate
Under the new rules, airlines operating international flights to and from Türkiye will need to use enough SAF to meet the 5% emissions reduction goal. Fuel suppliers will also be required to procure enough SAF to meet that target, while domestic refiners including Tupras and Socar will be expected to begin local production.
Türkiye’s largest oil refiner, Tupras, plans to introduce 20,000 metric tonnes of SAF at one of its major plants in 2026. It also aims to increase production to 400,000 tonnes by constructing a new unit at its Izmir refinery, pending a final investment. Meanwhile, local biofuel firm DB Tarımsal Enerji plans to produce 100,000 tons of SAF at a new plant.
According to the country’s energy regulator, Türkiye’s jet fuel demand fell 4% in 2024 to 6.26 million tonnes.
The Civil Aviation Authority also revealed it will publish minimum emission reduction targets before the end of the third quarter each year and will impose penalties on airlines and jet fuel suppliers that are non-compliant. Airlines must also ensure that 90% of the SAF required for international flights is uplifted in Türkiye.
