Flying on cooking oil

You might be wondering: Have they lost their minds at Amazing Asia Tours? No, not really. Flying on cooking oil isn’t a myth. In fact, it’s already happening, and it’s expected to play an increasingly important role. Here’s why.

We’re talking about Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF for short. It’s a nice umbrella term for more sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil-based jet fuel. What’s special is that this fuel doesn’t necessarily have to come from petroleum. In fact, there are various ways to produce aviation fuel using renewable raw materials and suitable waste and residual streams, such as used cooking oil, certain animal fats from meat processing, residual oils from the food industry, and specific agricultural residues.

According to EASA, used cooking oil accounted for approximately 80% of the SAF supplied in the EU in 2025. This does not, however, represent 80% of all aviation fuel. The oil is first industrially processed into suitable aviation fuel, which is then blended with conventional kerosene.

Just an experiment?

SAF is now more than just an interesting experiment. Since 2025, the European Union has required that at least 2% of the fuel supplied at EU airports be sustainable aviation fuel. In 2025, the actual share reached 2.8%. This is just the beginning: the European target is set to rise to 6% SAF by 2030 and 70% by 2050.

Will flying be sustainable in the future?

SAF is still only available in limited quantities and is significantly more expensive than regular kerosene. Furthermore, the method of production and the raw materials used make a big difference. The potential climate benefits vary depending on the production method. SAF is therefore not a magic bullet and does not suddenly make flying climate-neutral.

Still, the developments are promising. Depending on the production method, SAF can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over its entire life cycle. That makes it an important building block for an aviation industry that aims to become less dependent on fossil fuels.

The Future: Continuing to Explore, Traveling More Mindfully

Traveling more sustainably doesn’t have to mean we no longer want to explore the world. It does, however, require more conscious choices: taking fewer short flights, staying a little longer at a single destination, supporting local businesses, and keeping an eye on the developments that are transforming the aviation industry.

The future of flying lies not only in new aircraft, but also in what goes into the fuel tank. And who knows—maybe part of that future starts with nothing more than a bit of used cooking oil.

SOURCES: EASA, European Union, IATA