Global SAF Mandates, Electric Aircraft Updates, and Industry Movements
Picture: Dawn Aerospace
A curated digest of the week's most important aviation stories, covering sustainable aviation fuel developments, electric aircraft progress, and key industry trends shaping the future of flight.
The Big Picture: SAF Mandates Go Global
The State of SAF Mandates Across the World
While the EU and UK often grab headlines for their "stick" approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption through mandates, they're far from alone in this regulatory push.
A few days ago, Carbon Direct published a summary table about the state of SAF mandates in other parts of the world, as of H1 2025. To be fair, most of them are still either at a proposal stage, under consideration or not really binding, but, nevertheless, shows it is not just a “Western” thing.
Though most jurisdictions are still in proposal stages or under consideration—with many lacking binding enforcement mechanisms—the trend clearly demonstrates that SAF mandates aren't just a "Western" initiative. This global momentum is particularly significant given that most aviation growth is expected to come from regions outside Europe.
The adoption patterns tell a fascinating story about early movers and market concentration. According to data about of SAF adoption by the world’s main airlines shared by Aaron Robinson, VP SAF at IAG, European carriers account for a staggering 63% of global airline SAF consumption. Even more striking: just three carriers represent 54% of global airline SAF use.
Why this matters: The success of trailblazers in the EU, UK, and US (the latter relying on incentive programs and production capacity rather than mandates) will be crucial in scaling up production and demonstrating that SAF costs can be brought down to commercially viable levels.
Quick Takes:
Electric Aviation Progress
Elfly Expands Internationally Norway's electric seaplane startup has secured a new customer in Cambodia, adding to its growing order book and demonstrating the global appeal of electric aviation solutions.
Natilus Reveals Futuristic Cabin Concepts The blended-wing-body architecture offers an opportunity to try new things. This prospective cabin interior for the Horizon airliner, btw, is the work of the guys at ACLA Studio, which were early guests of the podcast!
eVTOL Development Updates
AIR Moves Toward Industrial Production I spoke with Rani Plaut, AIR’s founder, to learn more about the firm’s plans to start production of its personal eVTOL at a new facility in Israel. An even bigger assembly line in the US (its largest market by far) is already on the cards.
ERC System Prepares for Flight Tests This Munich-based startup which focuses on the emergency services market doesn’t get that much press, but it is reportedly already readying a demonstrator for test flights. You can also read what I wrote about them one year ago after talking with one of its founders.
Industry Challenges and Opportunities
European Airlines Face SAF Cost Pressures A Deloitte report commissioned by A4E (an airline industry association) said European airlines would be placed in a position of disadvantage vs their non-European peers if the ReFuelEU initiative (which includes mostly SAF mandates) is implemented. Obvious, but this is a political matter, mostly. Read the story on Greenair.
The CO2 vs. Non-CO2 Mitigation Dilemma What to do when these two are at odds or directly opposed (for example, if changing a route to avoid contrail formation leads to more carbon emissions)? This is the matter of a (rather technical) new paper that has been published on Nature.
Amphibious Aircraft Space Heats Up China’s new (suspected) ekranoplan has emerged just on the same week it has been known that DARPA has cancelled the Liberty Lifter program. The amphibious aircraft space keeps getting interesting!
Spotlight: Joby's Dubai Flight Tests
This week brought stunning footage of Joby Aviation's flight tests in Dubai. The successful demonstrations mark another milestone in the journey toward commercial urban air mobility.
Market Movements:
Major Funding Rounds
Skydrive Secures $57M The Japanese eVTOL developer raised ¥8.3 Billion (around $57M) from Suzuki (already its key shareholder) and a group of Japanese companies that includes several of the country’s railway operators. Btw, if you visit the Osaka Expo, you will be able to get into a full size mockup of the eVTOL they are developing at the Expo’s Advanced Air Mobility pavilion.
VoltAero's Malaysian Partnership The hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer is getting fresh investment from a joint venture of the Malaysian state of Sarawak (through its SEDC Energy firm) and France’s ACI Groupe. The agreement is quite comprehensive and includes a full industrial plan to assemble the Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft in Malaysia as well as a whole package of related services, such as training, servicing, etc.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch
The Elektrotour Channel Challenge
An initiative, sponsored by Vinci Airports, to fly an electric Pipistrel Velis Electro from Lyon to the UK and then back to eastern France for a grand finale at the foot of the Alps on July 25th. Somehow it reminds me of Morell Westermann’s electric flight challenges across Germany, which he organized in 2020 and 2023.
Industry Insights
Executive Spotlight: IndiGo's Ambitious Growth
IndiGo is possibly the airline in the world with the most ambitious growth programme. Check out what Mr. Elbers told me during our chat at IATA AGM in Delhi, in early June 2025.
Flight Experience Review
Check out how is it to fly on this Danish charter airline, which sometimes operates also regular flights on behalf of SAS. Read it here.
Recommended Listening
Stefan Powell talks about this fascinating Dutch-Kiwi startup that is building a sort of hybrid between an hypersonic aircraft and a space rocket. You can learn more about Dawn Aerospace here and here.
You can listen to this episode on Apple podcasts, etc, of course.
This aviation digest synthesizes the week's most significant developments across sustainable aviation fuel, electric aircraft, eVTOL technology, and industry trends.
📩 Remember to sign up for the Allplane Newsletter to get regular updates!
