The UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate has applied since 1 January 2025. Its headline target rose from 2% of total UK jet fuel supply in 2025 to 3.6% in 2026, with further increases planned to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040.
For anyone planning to charter a private jet from the UK, the mandate may influence the fuel element of a quotation. However, it does not mean that 3.6% of the fuel physically loaded into every aircraft in 2026 must be SAF.
What the mandate requires
The legal obligation sits primarily with qualifying aviation fuel suppliers, rather than individual passengers or charter operators. Suppliers meet their obligations through SAF certificates, payments under the scheme or a combination of both.
The public trajectory is expressed as a share of total jet fuel supply. The detailed 2026 compliance calculation sets the obligation at 3.734% of obligated fuel, which corresponds to the 3.6% overall target.
| Year | SAF share of total UK jet fuel supply |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.0% |
| 2026 | 3.6% |
| 2028 | 6.8% |
| 2030 | 10.0% |
| 2040 | 22.0% |
Eligible SAF can be produced from approved waste oils, residues and other qualifying renewable or low-carbon feedstocks. It must satisfy the scheme’s carbon and sustainability rules. SAF is not emissions-free, but it can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil kerosene.
How it can affect a charter quote
Fuel is an important variable cost for an aircraft charter operator. A June 2026 government-industry report stated that SAF remained at least twice the price of fossil fuel. Fuel suppliers and operators may pass compliance costs through their commercial pricing, but there is no single standard SAF surcharge that applies to every flight.
The effect on your quotation can vary according to the airport, fuel supplier, aircraft, route, payload, fuel uplift and operator contract. Longer flights generally consume more fuel, so the absolute cost exposure may be greater. On shorter sectors, airport charges, positioning, crew and aircraft availability may have a larger influence on the final price.
Voluntary SAF purchases
Some operators offer additional voluntary SAF beyond the mandated market requirement. This may involve a physical uplift or a certificate-based arrangement, sometimes described as book and claim.
Ask what you are purchasing, how the lifecycle saving is calculated and whether the environmental attribute is independently verified and protected against double counting. SAF and carbon offsetting for private flights are different measures. Our guide on whether private jet travel is compatible with ESG goals considers the reporting questions in more detail.
Managing the cost
Choose the smallest suitable aircraft for the route, passenger count and luggage. A midsize jet may suit one journey, while a super midsize jet may be required for additional range or payload. Efficiency should be assessed for the specific mission rather than assumed from the aircraft category alone.
For larger parties, group air charter may spread costs across more passengers and avoid using several aircraft. Private jet empty leg flights can offer lower prices when an aircraft is already repositioning, although timings and availability are less flexible.
For routes such as Nice French Riviera private jet travel and private jet hire Mallorca, the SAF-related cost may be smaller in absolute terms than on a long-haul journey, but each quotation should be assessed individually.
Frequently asked questions
Will my flight use exactly 3.6% SAF in 2026?
Not necessarily. The mandate applies across qualifying UK fuel supply and uses a certificate-based compliance system. Ask the operator what physical fuel or environmental claim, if any, applies to your booking.
Does the UK mandate apply when I depart from another country?
The UK scheme covers fuel supplied at, or for delivery to, places in the UK for use in aircraft. Other countries may apply separate rules. ReFuelEU Aviation, for example, introduced a 2% SAF supply requirement at covered EU airports from 2025.
Plan ahead for SAF-related costs
SAF policy will remain one of several factors shaping aviation fuel prices. Aircraft selection, routing and early availability checks are still practical ways to control charter costs. Contact us today for a no-obligation quotation tailored to your journey.