96% of Air Cargo CEOs Endorse Sustainability, yet Gaps in SAF Adoption Persist: TIACA Report

Report by the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). The report, based on insights from 274 industry professionals, reveals that 71 per cent of companies now have dedicated sustainability strategies, with larger firms leading the way at 84 per cent adoption compared to 60 per cent among smaller enterprises. However, while financial commitment to sustainability is growing—42 per cent of organisations have a dedicated budget, and 53 per cent have established sustainability teams—engagement with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) remains strikingly low, with only 32 per cent of companies actively investing in fossil-free alternatives.

The industry is instead prioritising operational efficiencies as a primary decarbonisation lever, with 72 per cent of respondents focusing on energy optimisation. Fleet modernisation, digitalisation, and innovation are also key drivers, with 84 per cent of organisations investing in digital solutions and 83 per cent focusing on innovation-led sustainability measures. Yet, the shift towards SAF adoption lags behind, with just 55 per cent of airports and 54 per cent of airlines actively deploying fossil-free energy sources. Notably, 3 per cent of surveyed airlines indicate that SAF is not a current priority.

Beyond carbon reduction, the industry is making strides in waste reduction and digital transformation. A significant 91 per cent of companies are actively working to eliminate single-use plastics and foam, aligning with global sustainability goals. Digitalisation is also taking center stage, with nearly all companies (99 per cent) either implementing or increasing awareness of digital solutions to drive environmental progress. However, transparency in sustainability reporting remains uneven, with only 46 per cent of companies publishing sustainability reports—rising to 69 per cent among large firms but dropping to 23 per cent among smaller enterprises. “With increasing regulatory and customer expectations, the air cargo sector must continue to innovate and collaborate to achieve long-term sustainability,” said Steven Polmans, Chair of TIACA. “This report showcases significant progress but also highlights the road ahead. The industry must take decisive steps to integrate sustainability into core business strategies.”

TIACA continues to advocate for industry-wide sustainability transformation through initiatives such as its BlueSky assessment program, urging companies to set clear sustainability targets, rigorously measure progress, and transparently report achievements. “The number of organisations allocating funds to sustainable initiatives has increased, as have the number of companies with specific sustainability strategies and those producing annual sustainability reports,” added Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA. “However, smaller organisations still face significant hurdles in demonstrating tangible progress. As regulatory and customer demands increase, the pressure on the entire industry to act will only intensify.”

While the report underscores significant advancements in sustainability commitment, it also highlights the need for broader participation in SAF adoption and structured reporting. As the industry moves forward, sustained investment and a collaborative approach will be critical in driving meaningful and lasting change.