e-SAF to compete with conventional SAF

e-SAF (electrolytic sustainable aviation fuel) is produced using electricity and is not constrained by biological feedstocks. It is more expensive than bio-feedstock-derived SAF.

Commodities price reporting agency Argus has recently launched the first methanol-to-jet cost indices (weekly calculated prices) for nine major production locations.

This has followed the approval by ASTM International, a US standards organization, for methanol-to-jet as a valid process for making e-SAF (electrolytic SAF), clearing the path for airlines to use it in their decarbonisation programs.

Methanol is an organic chemical compound (also known as methyl alcohol) and is the simplest aliphatic compound (chemical compounds containing carbon that are not aromatic compounds).

NWE Jet Fuel Soars, 13,000 flights cancelled in May

Following US and Israel strikes on Iran in March, jet fuel (priced in $ per tonne) has risen from roughly $750 to more than $1500 per tonne. 

Istanbul and Chicago O'Hare have been the most impacted in terms of cancellations (according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium). This is partly due to Turkish Airlines being hard hit by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Lufthansa has also cancelled many flights. 

The 13,000 cancellations represents 1% of global flights.

The UK imports around 65% of the jet fuel it uses.

The IEA has warned Europe will face jet fuel shortages by June.