Britain is falling behind other countries in its bid to start mass producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the boss of flagship carrier British Airways has warned.
Chief executive of the airline, Sean Doyle, suggested the government look at what other nations are doing to encourage production of the fuel, while speaking at the Airlines 2023 conference in Westminster on Monday.
“We’re struggling to really just get the ball rolling and getting plants built,” he said.
“Maybe we need to look at what other jurisdictions and governments are doing, who are getting ahead of us in that regard.”
SAF is produced from waste products such as black bin bags and used cooking oil.
Given burning SAF rather than traditionally-used kerosene can produce up to 80% less carbon, it has been tipped as key in the aviation industry's bid to reach net zero.
Under government plans, for instance, airlines will be required to use fuel made at least 10% from sustainable sources by 2030.
Though engine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.) already build power units capable of running on sustainable fuel, questions now surround where this will come from.
Also speaking at the conference, transport secretary Mark Harper said consultations on a “revenue certainty mechanism” would soon be launched for producers of the fuel.
British Airways is owned by International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG).