4AIR’s Take: 2025 Year in Review

2025 proved to be a significant year for aviation sustainability, marked with lessons learned and notable progress. There is not one trend that stands out from the rest, but instead many come together to show the steady advancements made in areas like fuel supply, technology, and infrastructure. These ten key developments and takeaways illustrate the combination of trends that are making a difference in the aviation industry and shed insight into how the industry is mapping its path forward into 2026. 

1. SAF Supply Expanded for Business Aviation 

Despite slower-than-anticipated supply growth globally, business aviation gained several new SAF uplift points, including Manchester, UK (EGCC), Burlington, VT (KBTV), Austin, TX (KAUS), Williston, ND (KXWA), and Hong Kong (VHHH). New SAF supply terminals also popped up across the U.S., including Linden, NJ and Denver, CO, bringing coast-to-coast access closer than ever. LanzaJet’s Soperton, GA production facility went live, achieving the world’s first commercial-scale SAF production from ethanol, and Phillips 66 expanded its production in 2025.  

Read more about the SAF facts behind the headlines. 

2. Taxes & Restrictions Targeted Premium Travel 

Private jet emissions continue to face scrutiny. A new ICCT report estimated private jets emitted 19.5M tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023, fueling the calls for taxes, SAF mandates, and stricter efficiency standards. 

France significantly expanded its Aviation Solidarity Tax on business aviation operators, and the Netherlands followed suit with a similar per-passenger charter tax going into effect in 2030. Eindhoven Airport (EHEH) has eliminated slots for private flights using fossil fuels to support the airport’s efforts to reduce emissions. Belgium also increased its per-passenger departure tax, Washington state enacted a luxury aircraft tax, and several other nations proposed levies on premium-class tickets.  

More on the nuances of the French 2025 Aviation Solidarity Tax here. 

3. SAF Policy Incentives Accelerated 

London Heathrow’s (EGLL) extended its SAF incentive, the EU announced a subsidy for over 200 million liters (52+ million gallons), and New York state made funding available for low-carbon fuel pilot projects. The UK finalized its SAF revenue certainty mechanism, which aims to accelerate domestic SAF production by offering price guarantees to producers and capping the cost to airline passengers. States like Arkansas and Iowa rolled out SAF tax credits, while others were proposed across the U.S. Future support mechanisms were also highlighted in regional roundtables across Africa and Asia. 

Check out the full aviation decarbonization 2025 policy recap. 

4. U.S. Policy Shifted under Trump, but SAF Support Remains Bipartisan 

The Trump administration paused clean energy funding, and the USDA also canceled its Climate-Smart Commodities partnership. However, strong Republican support for SAF led to an extension of the U.S. SAF tax credit through 2029, while cutting its value and tightening feedstock rules. An executive order also directed federal agencies to accelerate testing and commercialization of eVTOLs and drones, signaling a commitment to aviation innovation.   

Check out more on the OBBB and all aviation decarbonization’s 2025 policy changes. 

5. Global SAF Mandates Took Shape 

From Turkey to South Korea, new SAF mandates are here. Singapore will become the first country to introduce a mandatory levy on all departing flights to fund SAF. Domestic operators in Brazil will be required to use SAF blends to reduce emissions beginning in 2027. Targets and mandates were also proposed in Thailand, China, India, Malaysia, and Japan. 

Check out the full aviation decarbonization 2025 policy recap. 

6. ReFuelEU’s First Report 

EASA released its first ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report covering 2024—before the 2% blending mandate or anti-tankering requirements began—providing a baseline for future compliance. Of the fuel suppliers and aircraft operators who reported, SAF represented 0.6% of jet fuel supplied to Union airports and is expected to triple by 2030. Nearly all SAF delivered was from UCO or tallow, identifying a great opportunity to diversify feedstocks. This report serves as a tremendous tool for monitoring progress on ReFuelEU compliance and serves as a strong baseline to evaluate going forward.  

Learn more about ReFuelEU’s impact on business aircraft operators. 

7. Airlines & OEMs Doubled Down on Efficiency 

Major carriers like Delta, Lufthansa, Norwegian, and British Airways rolled out strategies like winglet installations, optimized landings, formation flying, and SAF investments to cut emissions and costs. Aircraft manufacturers continued to innovate through revolutionizing cabin interiors and materials, and other in-flight efficiencies. 

8. New Aircraft & Fuel Certifications 

Last year brought major milestones for alternative propulsion systems and unleaded aviation fuels. Ampaire secured FAA G-1 approval for its hybrid propulsion system, Safran received the world’s first type certification for an electric motor for civil aircraft from EASA, and Swift Fuels earned ASTM approval for 100R unleaded avgas. 

9. Airports & Facilities Got Creative in their Sustainability Efforts 

From San Diego’s (KSAN) hydrant fueling system to Copenhagen’s AI APU emissions monitoring, airports are stepping up. Denver's (KDEN) composting program showed great progress after diverting 260 tons of waste from landfills, Stockholm Arlanda (ESSA) expanded the use of curved approaches to support traffic flow during peak hours, and Embraer installed 1,900+ solar panels at its executive jet HQ in Melbourne, FL.  

10. Electric Aviation Picks Up Speed 

The FAA is expected to certify the first passenger-carrying eVTOLs for commercial service between 2026 and 2028, and 2025 set the stage. Nearly 100 U.S. cities are preparing the electrical infrastructure to support advanced air mobility. Archer was selected as the official air taxi partner of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Beta Technologies raised $1B in its IPO, Joby acquired Blade, and several all-electric training fleets were announced, including Centennial, CO (KAPA) and Hartford, CT (KHFD).  

Learn more about the hurdles and opportunities facing electric aviation.