The global oil crisis is proving the case for sustainable aviation

As the conflict in Iran strains the world’s oil supplies, a lot of attention has focused on gasoline: Average gas prices have increased more than a dollar a gallon since the war began, exceeding $4 a gallon for the first time in four years. But vehicle travel isn’t the only type of transportation affected. Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled in that same time frame. In March, U.S. airlines spent 56% more on fuel as compared to February, per Bureau of Transportation Statistics. When it comes to cars, rising gas prices have highlighted the benefits of—and spurred more interest in—sustainable alternatives like electric vehicles. The conflict has underscored the fact that EVs and renewables aren’t just good for the environment; they’re also a buffer against geopolitical instability. The same thing is now starting to happen in the airline industry with sustainable aviation fuels. But meeting that demand may be a challenge. Sustainable aviation fuels aren’t just for climate goals “Sustainable aviation fuel is not just for sustainability,” says United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. “I tell everyone [jet fuel is] our biggest cost. It’s our most volatile cost. …and guess what happened?” Kirby, a self-proclaimed “climate change geek,” has long been interested in sustainable aviation fuels (also called SAFs) as both a way to reduce airline emissions and a tool to reduce costs. SAF makers echo his arguments. “SAF not only supports emission reductions and propulsion for aviation, but also strengthens fuel security and reduces exposure to these external shocks,” says Chris Cooper, CEO of sustainable aviation fuel company XCF Global. At its refinery in Reno, XCF can produce SAF using domestic waste feedstocks, turning fuel from a global commodity to a more stable, local one. Still, SAF remains a small portion of airlines’ overall fuel usage. United, a leader in terms of SAF usage, has invested in the production of more than 5 billion gallons of SAF. Even so, SAF acco