London, February 2026 — Heathrow Airport has announced that it will invest more than £80 million in 2026 to increase the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), setting a target of 5.6% SAF usage across the airport.

The 2026 target is 2% above the UK Government’s 3.6% SAF mandate. If achieved, SAF would account for up to 5.6% of total aviation fuel uplift at Heathrow next year.

Incentive Scheme Expansion

Heathrow’s expanded incentive scheme will make more than £80 million available to airlines to help bridge the price gap between conventional kerosene and SAF, improving commercial viability and supporting the transition to lower-carbon fuels.

The airport’s additional 2% incentive equates to 124,068 tonnes of SAF in 2026, above the mandated requirement. In total, this would represent approximately 350,000 tonnes of SAF used at Heathrow during the year.

According to the UK Government, SAF can deliver average lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions savings of more than 70% compared with fossil-based kerosene.

Projected Emissions Impact

Heathrow estimates that the 2026 SAF uplift could reduce carbon emissions by around 600,000 tonnes.

Based on calculations from the International Civil Aviation Organization, this reduction is equivalent to more than 950,000 economy-class passenger return journeys between Heathrow Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Long-Term SAF Target

Looking ahead, Heathrow aims to increase SAF to 11% of total fuel uplift by 2030, exceeding the UK-wide mandate of 10% by that date as part of its net zero strategy.

Matt Gorman, Director of Sustainability at Heathrow, stated that SAF is already delivering measurable impact and remains a key component of aviation’s pathway towards net zero by 2050, as well as Heathrow’s Net Zero Plan.