Emirates and ENOC Group have signed an MoU to explore joint initiatives for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Emirates’ Dubai hub. The MoU was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ deputy president and COO, and Hussain Sultan Lootah, acting CEO of ENOC Group.
The agreement provides a framework for feasibility studies on SAF supply opportunities in Dubai, covering supply chain infrastructure, production capabilities, and commercial viability. A joint steering committee will oversee the evaluation and explore pathways for developing local SAF production and supply infrastructure, with ENOC assessing its potential contribution.
SAF is a drop-in fuel compatible with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure and can be blended with conventional jet fuel at up to 50 per cent. In its neat form, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent compared with conventional jet fuel.
Emirates is involved in advancing the UAE’s SAF ecosystem through participation in the Technical Group under the Aviation Fuels Executive Committee and the Dubai Biofuels, Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Committee. The airline has contributed to the UAE’s General Policy for SAF, which targets 700 million litres of production by 2030, and has supported the development of the UAE’s power-to-liquid fuels roadmap.
Emirates has also conducted SAF demonstration flights, including a 100 per cent SAF flight on a Boeing 777 in January 2023 and on an A380 in November 2023, as well as blended SAF operations at Dubai International Airport using 315,000 gallons of fuel. In its 2024/25 financial year, the airline procured 7,519 tonnes of SAF across airports including Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Oslo, Singapore, Paris, Lyon and Nice.
Al Redha said: “Establishing reliable SAF supply in our Dubai hub is a key priority, and this collaboration allows us to assess the most viable pathways for integration. We recognise there’s significant work ahead to address supply constraints and infrastructure requirements, but partnerships like this are essential to identifying practical solutions and building the foundation for broader SAF accessibility in Dubai and eventually across our network.”
Sultan Lootah added: “This MoU with Emirates reflects our shared commitment to developing local SAF production and the infrastructure needed to make low-carbon aviation a reality. As the UAE works toward supplying one per cent of jet fuel to national airlines from locally produced SAF by 2031, we believe this collaboration brings us a step closer to that goal. ENOC will continue to invest in innovation, strengthen partnerships, and explore practical pathways to build reliable SAF supply chains that support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 ambition.”
