IATA’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry is now operational.
- Ivonne Bladinieres
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
IATA has introduced a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry to standardize and transparently document SAF transactions. This initiative aims to facilitate the growth of a global SAF market and support the aviation sector's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The SAF Registry will be available free of charge until April 2027, after which it will transition to a cost-recovery model. More than 30 early adopters are already in the process of onboarding and preparing to use the system.
Now managed by the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO), an entity established by IATA, the registry ensures that the environmental benefits of SAF are accurately tracked throughout the supply chain. This allows airlines and corporate customers to claim SAF usage for regulatory compliance and voluntary sustainability commitments.

By connecting airlines with SAF producers and suppliers worldwide, the registry helps address the challenge of limited SAF availability. It also enables corporate clients to participate in aviation decarbonization efforts by co-financing SAF purchases and benefiting from in-sector emissions reductions.
Designed to be technology- and feedstock-neutral, the SAF Registry encourages the expansion of diverse SAF production pathways globally. It is adaptable to various regulatory frameworks while promoting international standardization. Interoperability with other registries is a key feature, fostering open competition and a transparent market.
The development of the registry involved extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including airlines, government agencies, aircraft manufacturers, fuel producers, suppliers, and corporate travel management firms.
IATA officially established CADO in March as a non-profit organization headquartered in Montreal, Canada, to oversee the registry’s operations. IATA will continue to provide technical support and guidance to CADO.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist, emphasized that aviation decarbonization requires collaboration. She highlighted that the registry ensures all airlines have access to SAF and can accurately document their purchases for compliance with climate-related requirements.
The system records SAF transactions in a secure and tamper-proof manner, preventing double counting. It provides a comprehensive platform for airlines, corporate clients, fuel producers, and regulators to track and validate SAF transactions in a transparent global marketplace.