Emirates has agreed a deal with oil and gas provider ENOC Group to develop joint initiatives for the supply of alternative aviation fuel at its Dubai hub.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding this week at the Dubai Airshow that aims to develop “economically feasible” alternative aviation fuel production in Dubai.
The deal promises to assess supply chain infrastructure, production capabilities and commercial viability, while ENOC, a state-owned entity, will evaluate its “potential contribution” to local production of alternative aviation fuels, also known as ‘sustainable’ aviation fuels, or SAF.
The United Arab Emirates is aiming for 1 per cent of the fuel its national airlines consume to come from sustainable sources by 2031.
Emirates CEO and deputy president Adel Al Redha said: “Establishing reliable SAF supply in our Dubai hub is a key priority, and this collaboration allows us to assess the most viable pathways for integration.
“We recognise there's significant work ahead to address supply constraints and infrastructure requirements, but partnerships like this are essential to identifying practical solutions and building the foundation for broader SAF accessibility in Dubai and eventually across our network."
Emirates said it is “actively engaged” in advancing the UAE's alternative aviation fuel ecosystem. The carrier is a member of the Aviation Fuels Executive Committee, convened by Dubai’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Dubai Biofuels, Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Committee, established by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
The airline has also contributed to the UAE's General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which aims to transform the UAE into a regional hub for alternative aviation fuels with production targets of 700 million litres by 2030.
During its 2024-25 financial year, the airline procured 7,519 tonnes of alternative aviation fuel at airports across its network, including Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Oslo, Singapore, Paris, Lyon and Nice.
In a separate announcement on Wednesday (19 November), Emirates has extended its codeshare partnership with Air Canada, which promises to create “new gateways” within Canada as part of the codeshare network.
The codeshare agreement, which began in 2022, has been extended to 31 December 2032. The partnership currently covers 56 routes linking Dubai to 37 destinations in Canada and the US. Air Canada also places its code on 19 Emirates-operated routes to the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.