The policy is designed to align with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which becomes mandatory in 2027.
New Rules for Airlines and Fuel Suppliers
According to the announcement on the authority’s website, airlines operating international flights involving Turkey will be obliged to use sufficient SAF to meet the 5% emissions reduction target.
Jet fuel suppliers will similarly be required to procure enough SAF to help achieve the goal. Domestic oil refiners, including Tupras and Socar, will also be required to start producing SAF.
“Airline operators must load 90% of the SAF they need for international flights in Turkey,” the authority specified.
Annual Targets and Enforcement
To ensure progress, the civil aviation authority said it will publish minimum emission reduction targets before the end of the third quarter each year.
The new framework will also include penalties for non-compliance, underscoring Turkey’s commitment to enforcing the transition to lower-carbon aviation fuel.
The move is part of broader efforts to curb aviation emissions, which account for approximately 2.5% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Domestic Production Plans for SAF
Turkey’s largest oil refiner, Tupras, is preparing to support the new policy through expanded domestic SAF production. The company plans to begin producing 20,000 metric tons of SAF at one of its existing plants in 2026.
Longer-term, Tupras aims to increase output to 400,000 tons by constructing a new SAF production unit at its Izmir refinery, pending a final investment decision.
Another local biofuel firm, DB Tarımsal Enerji, is also planning to produce 100,000 tons of SAF at a new facility, contributing to Turkey’s emerging SAF supply chain.
Jet Fuel Demand and Industry Outlook
Turkey’s jet fuel demand fell by 4% in 2024, totaling 6.26 million tons (or roughly 135,000 barrels per day), according to figures from the country’s energy regulator.
By mandating a shift toward SAF, Turkey is positioning itself to meet international climate obligations while building a domestic production base that could reduce reliance on imported fossil-based jet fuel and promote cleaner aviation.
The new rules highlight Turkey’s strategic approach to decarbonising its aviation sector in line with global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions targets.