At the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, Alexis von Hoensbroech, the Chief Executive Officer of WestJet Group, expressed the airline's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with a focus on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). However, he also brought to light a significant concern: the global ambition to decarbonize the aviation sector could result in a notable uptick in ticket prices unless there's substantial governmental support.
"Air travel is essential to Canadians and critical to the nation's economy; with the right regulatory environment and collaborative efforts of producers and airlines, Canada has an enormous opportunity to further its global leadership in energy sustainability through SAF production," stated von Hoensbroech.
WestJet spends more than CAD $1 billion annually on jet fuel. While the airline is channelling resources into acquiring newer, more efficient aircraft to curb its greenhouse gas emissions, von Hoensbroech stressed the need for extra industry support to expedite the uptake of SAF, a green fuel derived from renewable sources.
"The time is now for a regulatory framework to create a competitive investment climate for sustainable aviation fuel production, right here in Canada, that keeps air travel affordable and accessible.
"Access to SAF continues to be constrained by high costs, which can be as much as three to five times that of jet fuel. To date, not a single drop of SAF has been produced in Canada. We believe the best path forward to making SAF the low carbon fuel standard, is collaboration between airlines, producers and policy makers," von Hoensbroech emphasized.
WestJet believes that creating a competitive landscape for SAF investment is the linchpin to ensuring a greener future for Canadian aviation. By being at the forefront of such initiatives, the company hopes to drive Canada's leadership in global energy sustainability.
However, the CEO warned, "With SAF's high costs, its adoption is financially challenging."
Von Hoensbroech's call underscores the aviation industry's broader challenge in balancing environmental commitments with economic sustainability. Collaboration between all stakeholders—airlines, governments, and fuel producers—is deemed essential to address the financial challenges of SAF adoption, ensuring a sustainable future for the sector.
