The aviation industry faces a crucial challenge on its path to sustainability:
Reducing environmental impact and carbon footprint. In this context, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have emerged as a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Unlike the latter, SAFs are produced from renewable and sustainable sources, significantly reducing carbon emissions without affecting existing infrastructure or operational efficiency.1
In recent years, aviation has intensified its efforts to mitigate its environmental impact and achieve the decarbonization targets set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Paris Agreement. SAFs transition has become a key strategy for achieving these goals, as it allows the industry to continue operating efficiently while reducing its pollutant emissions.
In Latin America, Colombia stands out as one of the leading countries in the implementation of a strategic plan for the SAFs adoption, along with Chile and Brazil. The issuance of Resolution 00090 of 2025 by the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics establishes a roadmap designed as a strategic tool to guide the Colombian aviation sector toward a more sustainable and socially responsible aviation model.
This strategic plan seeks to encourage the production and adoption of SAF, while ensuring the development of efficient infrastructure. Its implementation aims to steer Colombian aviation towards a more sustainable model, with the goal of producing 100 million gallons of SAF by 2035 and 450 million by 2050, thus promoting responsible growth in line with the sector's sustainable development.2
Air transport in Colombia has experienced steady growth.
With more than 56 million passengers transported in 2024 and an expanding network of international and national connections, the adoption of sustainable fuels is an essential step toward reconciling economic development and environmental sustainability.3
The implementation of Resolution 00090 of 2025 poses a significant challenge, which will depend on cooperation between the government, the private sector, and the international community4. However, its success would position Colombia as a leader in the transition to cleaner, more innovative, and environmentally responsible aviation. With this regulatory framework, the country reaffirms its commitment to protecting the environment and the sustainable growth of the aviation industry, laying the foundations for a structural transformation that promotes greener and more competitive aviation globally.
References
- Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil. ABC Combustibles Sostenibles de Aviación (SAF) 2023 ↩︎
- Ibidem. Desde ahora, Colombia cuenta con una hoja de ruta para la implementación de combustibles sostenibles de aviación – SAF ↩︎
- Ibidem ↩︎
- Ibidem. Hoja de Ruta de los Combustibles Sostenibles de Aviación en Colombia ↩︎
