Rolls-Royce CEO: Only Sustainable Aviation Fuel Can Decarbonize Long-Haul Flights

Forget the hydrogen hype – at least for now. Rolls-Royce says sustainable aviation fuel is the only viable path to cutting emissions for long-haul air travel in the next 20 years.
As the global aviation industry races toward a 2050 net-zero emissions goal, Rolls-Royce is placing a firm bet on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç dismissed the idea that other technologies will meaningfully cut emissions for larger aircraft anytime soon: 'In the next 20 years, [sustainable aviation fuel] is the only technology that's going to decarbonize commercial aviation,' he said Wednesday at a Wall Street Journal event in London.
Erginbilgiç's assessment reflects not only the company's strategic priorities but also mounting industry-wide pressure to cut carbon emissions in the short and medium term – well before alternative technologies become viable at scale.
'We are the only company who can actually say that all of our aerospace engines are 100% SAF compatible,' Erginbilgiç said. 'That's important because you can make small planes hydrogen or electric, but when we're talking about narrowbody, widebody, overseas commercial airlines, SAF is the only solution.'
He touted the UltraFan, a next-generation engine in development, as a sign Rolls-Royce is also focused on improving fuel efficiency. It's described in the company's marketing materials as 'the sustainable solution for decades to come,' and promises to be 10% more efficient than those currently on the market.
However, the UltraFan won't power aircraft until the 2030s. Rolls-Royce says some of the learnings from this new-generation tech could be applied to existing engines, but it hasn't said exactly when or how.
Rolls-Royce's current range of engines help power many of the world's most popular long-haul aircraft, including the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350.
A Narrow Window for Progress
Erginbilgiç's remarks come as airlines face growing scrutiny over their climate impact.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the global airline trade body – has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Many industry watchers agree that this target requires both short-term action and long-term technological transformation.
While emerging technologies like hydrogen and electric propulsion may reshape aviation in the second half of the century, the next two decades represent a critical window for emissions reductions, but where commercial-scale alternatives remain elusive.
Erginbilgiç's comments reaffirm that these solutions are at least two decades away for practical application in large commercial aircraft. That leaves SAF, a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel made from sources like waste oils and agricultural residues, as the most viable bridge technology.
However, SAF currently accounts for less than 1% of global aviation fuel use, hampered by limited supply and high prices. SAF can cost up to three times more than traditional jet fuel.
Industry Frustration Grows
Speaking to Skift last month, Willie Walsh, IATA director general, criticized the slow roll-out of SAF.
"The lack of progress, particularly in relation to the production of SAF, demonstrates that it's not going to be done by airlines alone. The OEMs [plane and engine makers] are not delivering to the commitments that they make," said Walsh.
"Everybody is out there saying we're committed to net-zero in 2050. But all of the players [in] the airline community are walking away from tangible action that would demonstrate that they're committed. We're not seeing what we would expect from them."
Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel the Solution or a Harmful Distraction?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is being pushed as the main decarbonization pathway for the aviation industry. But a growing number of airline executives are pushing back on it as a waste of time when better solutions exist. Read More
Erginbilgiç and Walsh's comments reflect growing realism among aviation leaders: that innovation timelines don't always match regulatory deadlines.
In March, the chief executives of four of Europe's biggest airline groups urged the EU to delay rules requiring the use of SAF because of concerns around supply. The EU already requires all airlines operating in the region to use 2% SAF in their fuel mix. This will ramp up to at least 6% by 2030. The UK has a similar mandate that will rise to 10% in 2030.
What Do the Airlines Say?
Speaking on Skift's climate podcast GreenShift, Amelia DeLuca, Delta's chief sustainability officer, acknowledged the tension between business expansion and climate goals.
'Sustainable aviation fuel is the biggest lever,' she said. 'It's the only thing that gets us to net zero. We're in a race against time.'
DeLuca called on the sector to continue investing in new technologies such as carbon capture, capturing gasses out of the atmosphere using renewable energy and turning it back into fuel. 'These are unlimited feedstocks. And that cost profile of that product, if you have unlimited feedstocks, is actually lower than conventional jet fuel today. But that is a long way off. This is going to take all of us. Airlines alone can't solve climate change.'
Meanwhile, Yvonne Moynihan, corporate & ESG officer at European low-cost carrier Wizz Air said in April: 'Radical change needs to happen. Subsidies have to be redirected into renewable energy.'
She told Skift that some airlines have included hydrogen in their roadmaps, but that Wizz Air excluded it and instead focuses on "realistic levers.'
'We understand that the most realistic decarbonization levers are ones that we already have, which are improvements in current aircraft and engine technology and SAF. We need to kick start the production of SAF, this is the best chance for airlines to decarbonize,' she added.
Additional reporting by Darin Graham
What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies.
The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance.
Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Wire

4 hours ago

• Business Wire

CEA Opens Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires "New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor" to First Bridge China and South America

SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 18, 2025, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) and Auckland Airport signed a cooperation agreement in Shanghai. According to the plan, CEA will launch commercial flights in December 2025 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Ministro Pistarini International Airport via Auckland Airport. The signing ceremony was attended by government officials, corporate representatives, and heads from relevant departments. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted that the new route will enhance global connectivity by linking Auckland with the dynamic economies of Asia and South America. He also announced that New Zealand will implement a visa-free transit policy for Chinese travelers passing through Auckland. Since the opening of the route to Auckland in 2014, CEA has shown strong growth. Chairman Wang Zhiqing stated that the airline will leverage its Shanghai hub to accelerate the construction of its global route network. The new route will serve as a vital bridge among New Zealand, China, the Asia-Pacific region, and South America, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative. Auckland Airport expressed satisfaction with the imminent realization of the jointly envisioned " New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor". CEA, Auckland Airport's key partner and now the leading carrier on the China–New Zealand route, has maintained steady operations and consistently expanded capacity. The new service, to be operated twice weekly by Boeing 777, will be the only direct air link between Argentina and China, filling the gap in direct air services between the two nations. The "New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor" shortens travel time by 4–5 hours versus European or North American routes and offers direct flights, while also reducing jet lag—passengers only face a 4-hour time difference when transiting through Auckland, as opposed to 12 hours via traditional Western routes. CEA plans to apply for fifth freedom for this route, enabling passenger and cargo transport in Auckland, boosting economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges among New Zealand, China, and Argentina. Currently, CEA operates flights from Auckland to both Shanghai Pudong and Hangzhou Xiaoshan. Following the new route launch, CEA will boost New Zealand–China capacity deployment, increasing Auckland–Shanghai flights from 7 to 9 weekly. Note: The new route remains subject to final regulatory approval.

Axios

12 hours ago

• Axios

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson's contract renewed through 2030

News Corp, the parent company to dozens of global newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, on Sunday said it renewed the contract of its longtime chief executive, Robert Thomson, through 2030. Why it matters: The price of News Corp's voting shares has increased 140% under Thomson's leadership. Catch up quick: Thomson was named CEO of News Corp in 2013, when its publishing assets were spun out from its entertainment assets. News Corp has since successfully overhauled its business for the digital era. By the numbers: Digital accounted for 50% of the company's total revenue as of its 2024 fiscal year, compared to around 20% in 2014, the company noted in a regulatory filing announcing the extended contract. The period between fiscal 2021 and 2024 have been the company's most profitable, it added. Under Thomson's leadership, News Corp subsidiary Dow Jones has dramatically expanded its enterprise business, mostly through the acquisitions of professional data and analysis products, such as OPIS and Base Chemicals. Zoom in: Thomson has been aggressive in pushing News Corp to adapt to the digital era by brokering deals with major tech platforms, while simultaneously advocating for reform to protect publishers. Thomson famously struck a licensing deal with Facebook for its news content in 2019, after years of criticizing the tech giant for not paying publishers. Most recently, News Corp struck a landmark licensing deal with OpenAI that's reportedly been valued at more than $250 million over five years. Months later, News Corp sued Perplexity, an AI search engine, for copyright infringement. What they're saying: "Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch have adroitly sculpted a company that is passionate and principled and purposeful, and it is a profound privilege to serve as Chief Executive," Thomson said in a statement provided to Axios. "For journalists, for authors, for society, for those who strive and aspire, these are times of immense challenge and boundless opportunity. Our leadership team is acutely conscious of an unwavering responsibility to our shareholders, and we are grateful for the sterling efforts of all our colleagues as we pursue profitability and seek to realise our vast potential." "Robert has been instrumental in News Corp's growth and transformation, and his vision and leadership are extremely important as the company continues to navigate this era of rapid change," said News Corp chair Lachlan Murdoch. "Robert has created exceptional shareholder value, orchestrated a meaningful transformation of our asset base, and made strategic investments in growth drivers like Dow Jones, Digital Real Estate Services and Book Publishing. He is a crucial voice in the fight for publishers and journalists in the digital age, and a strong advocate for intellectual property rights. I look forward to his continued leadership," he added. Zoom out: The extension makes Thomson, 64, one of the longest-serving chief executives of a major global news brand.

Yahoo

12 hours ago

• Yahoo

News Corp to extend CEO's contract through June 2030, company says

(Reuters) -News Corp said it is extending the contract of Chief Executive Robert Thomson, which will see him continue as CEO through June 2030, the company said in a statement on Sunday. Thomson was appointed as CEO of News Corp, which owns the Wall Street Journal and book publisher HarperCollins, in 2013, and his contract was extended in 2023 until 2027. Thomson has been at the helm of the company through several major deals, such as the sale of its Australian cable-TV unit Foxtel to British-owned sports network DAZN for A$3.4 billion ($2.19 billion) in 2024. "Robert has been instrumental in News Corp's growth and transformation, and his vision and leadership are extremely important as the company continues to navigate this era of rapid change," Chair Lachlan Murdoch said in a statement. ($1 = 1.5547 Australian dollars) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data