Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Takes Center Stage at Davos 2026

As the World Economic Forum (WEF) kicks off today in Davos, Switzerland, the aviation industry is using the event to showcase its progress toward "Net Zero."

Jet Aviation announced this morning that it is providing an on-site supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Zurich Airport specifically for the fleet of private and corporate jets arriving for the forum. This marks the fifth year of the initiative, which highlights the role of high-profile global summits in driving the adoption of fuels that can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%.

The push for SAF at Davos comes amidst a broader 2026 trend where "Traveler Guilt" and environmental transparency are becoming primary factors in brand choice. Major airlines, including those represented at the forum, are under pressure to move beyond "carbon offsetting" and toward the physical use of cleaner fuels.

In 2026, the industry is seeing a shift where SAF is no longer a niche product for wealthy executives, but a scalable solution being integrated into the supply chains of major hubs like London, Singapore, and New York.

At the forum today, discussions are focusing on the "Book & Claim" system, which allows travelers to pay for the benefits of SAF even if the physical fuel is not available at their specific departure airport.

This digital accounting model is essential for the global expansion of sustainable travel, as it provides the necessary funding to build new SAF production facilities in regions where they are currently lacking. For the 2026 traveler, this means that "Greener Flights" are becoming an increasingly common—albeit more expensive—option on the booking screen.

While the use of SAF for the WEF is a symbolic gesture, it serves as a critical "live test" for the logistics of zero-emission flight. As delegates from around the world land in Zurich today, the message from the aviation sector is one of "applied innovation."

For the 2026 traveler, the success of these programs in Switzerland is a precursor to a world where sustainable fuel becomes the standard rather than the exception, ensuring the long-term viability of the global travel network in a carbon-constrained world.