After 2 years, the newly named IATA Energy Forum returned to the schedule in Munich last month. It was heart-warming to see that, once again, it proved to be a popular event, with over 700 delegates in attendance. The Opening Evening Reception was well attended and it was good to see a number of friends and colleagues after such a long time. A positive start to the event, which set the tone for the whole conference.
The Westin Grand hotel were hosting the event and did well to maintain some aspects of social distancing whilst still providing the welcoming, professional atmosphere of a conference. The Fuel Forum dinner was held at the impressive Bayern Munich Stadium and was hosted by Neste in a lavish style. The various sponsors were thanked for these events, and for providing lunch and refreshment breaks each day.
The sessions were well organised and informative with plenty of hot topics up for discussion. The opening address gave updates regarding the current state of the industry in turbulent times the importance of SAF and the bigger picture for the future.
Day 2 included a more detailed discussion on SAF from both a commercial and technical perspective. An abundance of information was shared including presentations from Suzanne Minter of S&P Global Commodity Insights in which SAFs role within the aviation industry was shared; pricing, production growth, development of new feedstocks and the demand for SAF vs alternatives such as hydrogen.
Day 3 saw Mónica Soria Baledón of IATA discuss SAF blending, coprocessing and fully synthesized SAF which gave a full explanation as to how this new fuel needs to be blended and the requirement for accuracy.
It was overall a very useful and important forum at a time when the world is looking to the aviation industry to cut emissions. The new model of including the SAF conference into the main event seemed to work well and highlighted that SAF is now a mainstream objective of the industry.
The world’s jet fuel industry will next meet in India’s capital city, Delhi when the Energy Forum reconvenes in November.
