IATA expert urges tailored sustainable fuel strategies for nations

At the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Preeti Jain called for countries to develop sustainable aviation fuel solutions based on local resources rather than copying European models.

Preeti Jain, IATA head of net zero research, spoke during a media briefing on sustainability. She stated that the window for e-SAF is closing very fast and advised against a one-size-fits-all approach. Jain said every country needs solutions suited to its resources, energy infrastructure and abilities. She added there should not be just copy paste what Europe is doing which is e-SAF. She pointed to South Africa’s expertise with the Fischer-Tropsch process from Sasol’s apartheid-era coal-to-oil technology. Jain suggested building a rural supply chain using agricultural residues instead of pivoting away from established infrastructure.

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