Jet Fuel’s Green Reckoning: Why Airlines Must Lock in Long-Term SAF Deals Now

A Bayer executive warns that airlines must sign long-term sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contracts now or risk missing the flight toward net-zero aviation.

At a clean energy summit in Germany, Matthias Bausenwein, who runs Bayer’s low-carbon game plan, kept it real: if airlines are serious about cutting their carbon, they gotta lock in long-term deals for sustainable jet fuel (SAF). He said quick buys or one-off orders just won’t cut it—it won’t give producers the steady business they need to actually ramp things up and make it all work money-wise.

The big problem isn’t that we don’t have enough green jet fuel (SAF)—it’s that the setup to make and move it just isn’t there yet. Investors don’t wanna throw money at it if airlines won’t promise to buy it long-term. Bausenwein said fuel makers don’t wanna risk building out new gear or tech if no one’s locking in steady orders. And with rules getting stricter in the U.S. and Europe about showing your carbon impact, airlines might end up scrambling without a steady supply of the clean stuff when it really counts.

Tech plays a big role here too. Making green jet fuel (SAF) isn’t simple—it takes high-tech gear that only makes sense to invest in if there’s steady demand. But since airlines aren’t locking in long-term deals, producers can’t go all-in on automation. That slows everything down, makes fuel more expensive, and keeps the supply chain weak.  This ain’t just about looking eco-friendly anymore—it’s about keeping planes in the air without breaking the bank. If airlines don’t move fast, they could end up paying way more or getting left behind. Planes cause about 2.5% of all CO₂ emissions, but green fuel still makes up less than 0.1% of what jets use. So yeah—this is crunch time. The airlines that jump in now get better deals, more control, and a real shot at shaping the future of flying clean.