MUSCAT: In a recent forum on Sustainable, Low-Carbon Aviation Fuels and Clean Energy, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has outlined its ambitious plans to reduce international civil aviation emissions and enhance environmental protection.
The CAA's State Action Plan (SAP) is geared towards achieving a long-term aspirational goal by 2050, focusing on three key pillars, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) playing a pivotal role.
Mubarak al Ghailani, DG of Regulations at CAA, emphasised the importance of SAF, which is set to provide 55 per cent of the solutions to achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050. In line with this commitment, the CAA aims to procure aircraft with reduced CO2 emissions as an immediate goal.
Oman's aviation market presents unique opportunities for the export of SAF not used domestically and encourages airlines to operate modern, efficient fleets while offering shorter travel routes to reduce emissions.
Sustainable aviation fuels, which can be produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks such as food and yard waste, woody biomass, and fats/greases/oils, are gaining traction in the aviation industry. The forum showcased international experiences, future plans, challenges and local efforts in utilising biofuels.
The CAA has taken a significant step by signing a memorandum of cooperation with the OQ Group and Sky Energy Company to study the development of a sustainable aviation fuel facility in Oman. This collaboration will harness global expertise to explore green aviation fuel manufacturing technologies and build essential capabilities in the field.
As the aviation industry increasingly looks towards sustainable solutions, CAA is actively positioning itself to make a significant contribution to reducing aviation emissions and fostering a cleaner, more environmentally conscious future for civil aviation.
The memorandum of cooperation also stipulates examining the technologies used in manufacturing sustainable green aviation fuel.
The agreement was signed by Eng Naif bin Ali al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, Ghaleb bin Saeed al Mamari, Vice-President of Alternative Energy Sector at OQ Group, and Oscar Meijerink, General Manager of Future Fuels at Sky Energy.
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