Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is critical to aviation’s net-zero future, but supply isn’t growing fast enough. Lessors have a unique opportunity to accelerate SAF adoption and benefit in the process. See Amy Ruddock, SVP, Sustainable Aviation & Corporate Development at Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) speak with Eduardo Mariz Cortiñas (Ishka: Aviation Finance with Dr. Ulrike Ziegler 🇺🇦 (IMPACT on sustainable aviation) about how #lessors can play a larger role in making SAF commercially viable. Willis Lease Finance Corporation is leading by example, currently investing in a 14,000-ton-per-year SAF facility in the UK. As Amy notes, "Investing in decarbonization is investing in aviation’s future.” #Aviation #AviationSustainability #RevenueCertaintyMechanism #AircraftLeasing #SustainableFinance #SustainableAviationFuel #CO2 #Emissions #SustainableAviation #SAF #FutureOfAviation
✈️🧩 Decarbonising Aviation: How Lessors can Align SAF with Leasing Interests SAF is essential to aviation’s path to #decarbonisation – but supply isn’t scaling fast enough. Lessors can help change that. In a recent interview, Eduardo Mariz Cortiñas (Ishka: Aviation Finance) and Dr. Ulrike Ziegler 🇺🇦 (IMPACT on sustainable aviation) spoke to Dr. Amy Ruddock, SVP of Sustainable Aviation at Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) about how #lessors can play a bigger role in making SAF commercially viable. WLFC is leading by example, currently investing in a 14,000-ton-per-year SAF facility in the UK through Willis Sustainable Fuels. The company’s first #SAF production facility will be located near Teesside International Airport, where the UK plans to build its first SAF handling waterside terminal. WLFC’s facility will use Carbonshift FlexFeed – an innovative technology that is ultimately designed to produce power-to-liquid (#PtL) fuel but can flexibly use bio-methane or green #hydrogen as its input. Among the key reasons for WLFC’s decision to invest in SAF production in the UK are: 1️⃣ Long-Term Industry Commitment: WLFC sees sustainable #aviation as critical to its long-term success and competitiveness 2️⃣ Favourable Regulatory Environment: UK policies, including SAF mandates, revenue certainty mechanisms, and carbon reduction targets, provide market clarity and support #investment Why should lessors engage in SAF? 🔸 Helping de-risk SAF financing – Integrating SAF certificates into lease contracts could unlock bankable #offtake agreements, a major hurdle for SAF developers 🔸 Gaining a competitive edge – Lessors acting as SAF offtakers can offer #airlines better access, particularly in regions with limited supply 🔸 Adapting to an evolving aviation landscape – Expanding their role beyond leasing allows lessors to align with industry #sustainability demands and regulatory shifts What’s in it for lessors? ✅ Future-proof their business as sustainability regulations tighten ✅ A growing multi-billion-dollar market with rising demand ✅ Stronger airline partnerships by supporting decarbonisation goals As Amy highlights: "Any investment in lowering #carbon is a commercial investment too – it's an investment in the future of the industry.” 🚀 📣 Want to learn more about WLFC’s SAF investment? Stay tuned for our IMPACT Insights 2025 report – coming soon! #AviationSustainability #RevenueCertaintyMechanism #AircraftLeasing #SustainableFinance #SustainableAviationFuel #CO2 #emissions #SustainableAviation