Croatia Airlines has been awarded €594,342.42 in support for the eligible use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in 2026 under the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The Croatian flag carrier disclosed the figure as part of its information on sustainable development and the use of alternative fuels in aviation.

Sustainable aviation fuel, commonly known as SAF, can be produced from various sustainably sourced feedstocks, including used cooking oil, waste biomass and residues, as well as through the use of renewable energy and carbon. According to information provided by Croatia Airlines, these fuels typically reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by around 80 per cent compared with conventional aviation fuel. This figure refers to the fuel’s entire lifecycle and does not mean that emissions from an individual flight are directly reduced by the same percentage.

SAF can be blended with conventional aviation fuel and used in approved blends without modifications to aircraft or airport infrastructure. This allows airlines to introduce it gradually into their existing operations.

Under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the European Union has mandated a gradual increase in the minimum share of sustainable aviation fuels. Since the beginning of 2025, a minimum share of two per cent has applied to fuel supplied at airports covered by the regulation, with further increases scheduled through to 2050. The obligation to ensure the required share rests with fuel suppliers rather than directly with airlines.