ICAO-Airbus ACT-SAF: Feasibility Studies in the SAM Region

Introduction

The ICAO South American Region has worked with States to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) since the approval of the LTAG at the 41st ICAO Assembly, through seminars, workshops, and webinars organized and delivered by the Secretariat and industry.

This joint work has promoted the establishment of roundtable discussions on SAF in several States and the creation of programs to promote the SAF industry.

Following the launch of the ACT-SAF Program by ICAO, European States and industry have expressed interest in supporting SAF feasibility studies in the SAM Region.

To capitalize on this interest, the Secretariat has worked with the Netherlands and AIRBUS to reach an agreement with them to support SAF feasibility studies in the SAM Region.

A Bold Step Toward a Low-Carbon Future

With support from the Netherlands, within the context of the ICAO ACT-SAF Program, the ACT-SAF Feasibility Study Kick-off Workshop was held on November 26 and 27, 2024, in Santiago, Chile, with the aim of generating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in the SAF value chain.

The study focused on key areas such as the identification of sustainable raw materials, the analysis of the infrastructure required for the production, storage, and distribution of SAFs, and the economic evaluation to determine the value chain costs of these fuels, among other areas. In addition, the environmental impact of SAFs and their capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aeronautical sector were assessed.

Additionally, In February 2025, during the 18th Meeting of Civil Aviation Authorities of the South American Region in São Paulo, ICAO launched a bold step toward the transition to low-carbon aviation and contribute to the global goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050: feasibility studies for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in Argentina, Peru and Panama, with Airbus as a key supporter.

Country-Specific Initiatives

The Argentina study, launched in May 2025 and set for completion by September 2025, the project brings together global expertise and national commitment. Through the ICAO Air Transport Bureau/Office of Environment, a SAF expert has been deployed to lead a feasibility study, starting with a successful kick-off meeting in Buenos Aires on 13 May 2025. This study will provide Argentina with the knowledge and tools to unlock the potential of SAF and position the country at the forefront of aviation sustainability in the region.

The Peru study kicked off on March 25-26, 2025 and will be completed in the second half of 2025; Panama’s began on September 10-11, 2025 and will conclude in early 2026.

From Feasibility to Action

These studies, part of ICAO’s ACT-SAF program, will test the technical, economic and regulatory viability of producing SAF, turning feasibility into concrete business cases if production proves viable. Next, each States will build national teams from aviation, energy and government sectors, craft action plans aligned with their own policies, and tap ICAO’s platform for policy guidance, business models and sustainability tools.

A Milestone Partnership

The support of European states to the SAM Region, with the aim of building aviation capacity, is a recurring action for which we are always grateful, and we are sure that this support will continue to be provided.

However, the support of AIRBUS marks a milestone in Latin America’s aviation sustainability journey—and the first time an ACT-SAF feasibility study is backed financially by an aerospace manufacturer. Airbus’ commitment underscores a wider push: working with airlines, airports, manufacturers and regulators worldwide to accelerate large-scale SAF development and drive aviation toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Expanding the Horizon

Furthermore, Chile—supported by the Netherlands—is preparing to launch a SAF business case study in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay have expressed interest in organizing SAF roundtables under ICAO’s ACT-SAF program, and efforts are underway to identify donors to fund feasibility studies in these States.

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