The Aviation Strategy 2040+ consolidates the strategic objectives and further measures based thereon within the following four thematic areas:

• Environmental/climate protection and introduction of sustainable fuels

• Integration into the overall transport system, new mobility concepts and connectivity

• Aviation competitiveness, employment and restart under fair and ecological conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic

• Digitalization, drones, innovation, and technological change

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Roadmap

With the Aviation Strategy 2040+, the BMK has identified the need for action in the areas of sustainability, environmental and climate protection and defined specific measures. The SAF roadmap is one of these measures and complements the existing aviation strategy. It was published in June 2024 and English summary is available under Link.

The SAF roadmap describes possible scenarios for the development of national and international air traffic starting in Austria. Based on this, a demand for biogenic and synthetic SAF for Austrian airports is calculated, which – even under moderate assumptions for the development of flight volumes – amounts to around 18,000 tonnes in 2025, around 58,000 tonnes in 2030, 339,000 tonnes in 2040 and 699,000 tonnes in 2050.

From today's perspective, this demand cannot be covered by nationally available raw materials due to the high demand competition from almost all other economic sectors. Furthermore, currently the necessary production facilities in Austria do not exist to fully cover the national demand for SAF, which means that SAF imports are likely to be unavoidable.

In conclusion, five focus areas with a total of 15 detailed measures have been defined. The focus areas range from creating incentives and impetus for the SAF ramp-up in Austria, ensuring availability through imports to ensuring competitiveness in aviation. Moreover, a national SAF Competence Circle was established with the aim to ensure sustainable (political) dialogue and ongoing stakeholder participation. The overarching goal of these focus areas and measures is to maximise the production and value creation potential of the Austrian research and industrial landscape.

‘Take Off’- Austrian Aviation Research and Technology Program

The Austrian Government continues to promote research, technology, and innovation in the area of aviation through the “Take Off” Austrian Aviation Research and Technology Programme. One particular focus of Take Off is the funding of strategic research projects that contribute to achieving climate-neutrality in aviation such as through sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and innovative propulsion systems based on hydrogen and electric power.

In the years 2021-2023, BMIMI has invested EUR 33 million in climate-friendly aviation technologies, of which EUR 9 million were specifically invested in SAF and hydrogen aviation. 

Examples for SAF related projects are:

• SAF Airlab:

With the project SAF Airlab, for example, Austria promotes a flying laboratory for SAF optimization of propulsion and reduction of emissions. The goal is to be able to use all available SAFs in the same aircraft and further execute in-flight emission measurements.

• AssessSAF: Sustainability assessment of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel FT-SPK from biogenic residues and waste
• Another project deals with the construction of a multipurpose SAF producing laboratory facility. The focus is on alcohol-to-jet but also HEFA, methanol synthesis and FT synthesis. Project results are expected in 2026.