Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2026
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Contents
Foreword by the International Civil Aviation Organization
Foreword by Airports Council International World
Foreword by World Economic Forum and industry leaders
Executive summary
1 Ambitious pragmatism
1.1 Overall progress in 2025
1.2 Expectations for 2026
1.3 Drivers of optimism
1.4 Challenges ahead
1.5 Industry priorities and trends for 2026
2 Technology trends
2.1 SAF availability and scalability
2.2 Infrastructure readiness for SAF along the supply chain
2.3 Access to clean energy and the role of hydrogen for
airports and flight operations
2.4 Developments in aircraft powertrains – hydrogen, hybrid
and eVTOL
2.5 Boosting efficiency and sustainability through AI and data
3 Policy and geopolitical trends
3.1 Energy security could boost fossil-free fuels
3.2 SAF policy
3.3 Carbon pricing
3.4 Implementation of CORSIA
3.5 Trade tensions, tariffs and export controls affect aviation
supply chains
3.6 Commodity and feedstock flows
3.7 Constraints to airspace and military emissions
3.8 Multilateralism, under strain globally, holds firm in aviation
4 Economic trends
4.1 Passenger and cargo trends: uneven growth across
regions
4.2 Aircraft and engine manufacturing bottlenecks
4.3 SAF affordability and price
4.4 SAF partnerships, offtakes and voluntary demand
4.5 Fuel refining activity, oil markets and overall implications4
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Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2026
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