German energy company Mabanaft has started supplying jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to airlines at Frankfurt Airport. This move marks an expansion of Mabanaft’s aviation business into the German market. However, the volumes involved are currently quite small. Since January 2025, Mabanaft has partnered with Skytanking, an aviation fueling services company.
Together, they support operations at Frankfurt Airport. The company has already signed supply agreements with Singapore Airlines and the Lufthansa Group. This expansion adds Frankfurt to Mabanaft’s existing aviation fuel network, which includes locations in the UK and Norway. Under the European SAF Mandate, Mabanaft plans to deliver over 1,000 tonnes of SAF at Frankfurt this year.
Globally, around 350 million tonnes of aviation fuel were burned in 2023. SAF supplied by Mabanaft consists of a blend of hydroprocessed vegetable oils, fats, and greases. This blend can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle compared to conventional aviation fuels.
Simon Weiss, Head of Aviation at Mabanaft, stated that the expansion supports the company’s strategy to strengthen aviation supply chains. Mabanaft aims to develop its presence in hard-to-electrify sectors, including aviation. They are focused on providing conventional fuels and lower-carbon alternatives.
Under the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, fuel suppliers must provide increasing volumes of SAF to airports from 2025 onward. The policy includes specific targets for synthetic fuels like e-kerosene, which is still in early commercialization stages. A report by the NGO Transport & Environment notes there are 25 industrial projects aiming to produce 1.7 million tonnes of e-kerosene by 2030.
This target exceeds the 600,000-tonne target set by EU regulation. However, no major project has yet reached a final investment decision. This illustrates the ongoing uncertainties in the emerging market for SAF.
