Oman is committed to becoming a key player in SAF production

Muscat: With Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) expected to make a contribution of over 60 per cent to achieving net-zero by 2050 and with the supply for the same lagging, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) affirmed its commitment to the State Action Plan (SAP) at a forum held in Muscat.

The aim of the Forum is to enhance the public’s understanding of sustainable and low-carbon aviation.

Eng Nayef bin Ali bin Hamad al Abri, Chairman of CAA said the aviation sector has witnessed a significant growth in air traffic, which is an economic necessity. Environmental consequences associated with air traffic will require a few measures and actions to mitigate them.

Speaking to the Observer, Al Abri, said, “This forum sets the platform for collaboration between the aviation sector and other sectors such as transport, energy, and research and innovation.

On SAF production in Oman, he said, “We are at the beginning of our journey and have put regulation, capabilities, and manpower in place with various committees focusing on this governance side. We expect Oman to be a leader amongst the neighbouring countries and the rest of the world in SAF production.”

He added that all international aviation bodies such as IATA and Airports Council International (ACI) have the same objective of achieving net-zero for the aviation sector by 2025.

On encouraging airlines to have new types of aircraft, he said, “There is a technological development that the manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing and Embraer and others are bringing on board as they progress. While there will be no immediate replacement of aircraft, it is going to be a gradual introduction of new aircraft with new technologies offering better fuel efficiency.”

Jane Hupe, Deputy Director responsible for the Environment programme at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed that innovation particularly on sustainable and low-carbon aviation fuel and other clean energy resources is a key enabler in the sector’s pursuit of the long-term global goal.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its expectation for overall renewable fuel production to reach an estimated capacity of at least 69 billion litres (55 million tonnes) by 2028.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will comprise a portion of this growing output which is being achieved through new renewable fuel refineries and the expansion of existing facilities.

More than 150 specialists are attending the two-day forum titled “Forum of Innovation Support in Sustainable and Low-Carbon Aviation Fuel and Clean Energy in the Aviation Sector”.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.

The forum seeks to enhance public understanding of sustainable low-carbon aviation fuel and its contribution to addressing the impacts on the environment from activities of the civil aviation industry.

It also aims to identify the current status and future potential related to the production of sustainable and low-carbon aviation fuels in the Sultanate of Oman, besides exploring investment opportunities for the establishment of dedicated refineries and plants to produce green aviation fuels.

More than 20 working papers were reviewed during the forum’s first three sessions. The first session explored international experiences in the field of producing sustainable, low-carbon aviation fuel, in addition to future plans, opportunities, and challenges associated with the sector.

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