The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Matchmaker, a platform designed to connect airlines with SAF producers, simplifying the procurement process. The tool enables airlines to submit SAF requests, which are matched with available or planned supply offers from producers. Once a match is made, both parties can proceed to negotiate terms, such as pricing and payment, privately, outside the platform.
The SAF Matchmaker aims to tackle three key challenges in the growing SAF market:
-
Efficiency: By providing a centralized space for SAF procurement, the platform eliminates the need for intermediaries or additional fees, accelerating transactions and fostering the expansion of the voluntary SAF market.
-
Connectivity: Producers and suppliers can list available SAF volumes or future production, while airlines can register their demand. Though initial contact occurs on the platform, final agreements are reached independently.
-
Transparency: Detailed information is provided for each SAF offer, including production volumes, feedstock type, production location and technology, emissions reduction data, and compliance with regulations such as CORSIA and the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, emphasized the role of the platform in the industry’s climate goals: “To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need a SAF market that is accessible, transparent, and efficient. The SAF Matchmaker is part of IATA’s broader efforts to create a robust SAF ecosystem by reducing the complexity and cost airlines face in locating reliable SAF suppliers.”
Initially available to airlines and SAF producers, the platform supports both one-time (spot) purchases and longer-term offtake agreements. IATA plans to eventually open access to other types of SAF buyers, including corporations outside the aviation sector.
The SAF Matchmaker is hosted on the Aviation Energy Hub, a centralized digital resource aimed at equipping the aviation industry with tools for effective energy management.
