Emirates and ENOC ink deal to bring Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Dubai

Dubai: Emirates and ENOC Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how Sustainable Aviation Fuel can be supplied at scale to Emirates at its Dubai hub. The agreement, finalised on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow, links the UAE’s largest carrier with its primary fuel provider at a time when airlines worldwide are under pressure to cut emissions and secure long-term access to lower-carbon fuels.

The MoU lays out a framework for feasibility studies that will assess what it would take to establish a reliable SAF supply chain in Dubai. These studies will examine supply infrastructure, potential local production, blending requirements and the commercial conditions needed to ensure long-term viability. A joint steering committee will guide the evaluation, signalling a coordinated effort between two of the UAE’s most influential aviation players.

A fuel compatible with today’s aircraft

SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that works with existing aircraft and airport systems. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel at up to 50% and, in its unblended form, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80%. This makes it one of the most practical near-term solutions for the aviation sector as broader decarbonisation technologies continue to develop.

Emirates has been active in UAE-level SAF initiatives, contributing to the General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and participating in committees focused on biofuels, hydrogen and next-generation aviation fuels. The policy aims to position the UAE as a regional centre for alternative fuels, with a target of 700 million litres of SAF production by 2030.

Demonstration flights and early procurement

The airline has been running SAF demonstration flights to test operational readiness. In January 2023, it operated a Boeing 777 flight using 100% SAF in one engine. This was followed by the first A380 demonstration flight using 100 per cent SAF in one engine in November 2023. Emirates also operated flights from Dubai International Airport using more than 315,000 gallons of blended SAF that month, integrated directly into airport fuel systems.

During its 2024-25 financial year, Emirates procured 7,519 tonnes of SAF at international airports, including Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Oslo, Singapore, Paris, Lyon, and Nice. The new MoU with ENOC moves the focus closer to home, anchoring efforts to make SAF supply within Dubai commercially and operationally feasible.