New data from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) reveals that corporate travel programs are set to play a defining role in the future of aviation, pointing to business travel demand as a major driver of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption.
According to Amex GBT’s 2026 SAF Index, corporate travel buyers could account for up to half of global SAF demand by 2030, signalling a shift in how the industry is evolving.
Rather than relying solely on airlines and government mandates, the report positions corporate procurement as a critical lever in accelerating the transition to lower-carbon aviation.
Amid ongoing uncertainty in traditional fuel markets, the data highlights clear momentum. Global SAF production has increased 24 times since 2021 and is estimated to have made up 0.6% of global jet fuel consumption in 2025.
While still a marginal share, the pace of growth reflects increasing investment, policy support, and participation from both airlines and corporate buyers.
Cost remains the central challenge, with SAF currently estimated to be between two and ten times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, creating a gap that continues to slow broader adoption.
To help bridge that gap, the industry is increasingly relying on “book and claim” models, which enable corporate buyers to support SAF procurement without requiring physical supply at their point of departure.
Platforms such as Avelia, developed by Amex GBT and Shell Aviation, enable companies to purchase the environmental benefits of SAF while supporting further industry development and increasing supply.
A long-term SAF procurement agreement with Google, facilitated through Avelia, highlights how companies are already using this model to scale adoption.
Vrushali Gaud, Global Director of Climate Operations at Google, said: “Sustainable aviation fuel represents a critical unlock for decarbonizing the hard-to-abate aviation sector and we recognize the importance of long-term agreements to increase demand and expand its availability.”
More than 60 corporations and airlines are now participating in Avelia, with millions of gallons of SAF already deployed through the network.
Amex GBT says this type of corporate commitment is essential to scaling the market.
Andrew Crawley, President, American Express Global Business Travel, said that: “Corporate demand and investment are essential to growing the SAF industry. By extending this key collaboration, we are continuing to build a more resilient and lower-carbon future for our industry.”
At the same time, policy is accelerating the shift. Governments representing approximately three-quarters of global jet fuel demand have either implemented or are developing SAF mandates and incentives, further reinforcing the shift toward SAF adoption.
For travel managers and the broader trade, the shift is becoming more immediate, as SAF moves from a niche consideration to a growing line item within corporate travel programs.
While the industry remains in the early stages, the trajectory is established, with corporate buyers, suppliers, and governments all contributing to demand signals that are expected to accelerate adoption.
