Farnborough Airport: A European Business Aviation Leader Near London

Located in southern England, Farnborough Airport is recognized for its high-quality facilities and close proximity to London, facilitating business flights and private jets departing from or arriving in the UK capital. Over the years, the airport has adopted a proactive environmental approach:

The World’s First Carbon-Neutral Business Airport

In 2018, Farnborough Airport became the world’s first business airport to achieve carbon neutrality, certified at Level 3+ under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.

Moving Toward Net Zero

The airport has committed to reaching Net Zero for its controllable emissions by 2030, underscoring its leadership in sustainability within the business aviation sector.

SAF: A Key Decarbonization Driver for Business Aviation

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are produced from renewable resources (used oils, agricultural waste, biomass, etc.) and offer a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional kerosene. According to IATA, widespread use of SAF could cut CO₂ emissions by 65–80% over the full fuel lifecycle, although the exact benefit depends on the production pathway and feedstock sourcing methods.

Major Benefits of SAF

• Direct CO₂ Reduction: SAF provides a cleaner alternative to fossil-based fuel.

• Compatibility with Existing Aircraft: Today’s business jets can operate with an SAF/kerosene blend without major technical modifications.

• Contribution to a Circular Economy: Using waste or biomass relieves pressure on agricultural land dedicated to food production.

Farnborough’s Initiatives for Promoting SAF

1. Agreement with Hydrogen Refinery
   In March 2025, Farnborough Airport signed a contract for 12.5 million liters of SAF derived from local waste. The goal: to achieve 20% SAF in its overall fuel supply by 2028, outpacing the targets set by the UK government.

2. Dedicated Infrastructure
   The airport has invested in specialized storage and distribution equipment, ensuring smooth and secure delivery of SAF to business aircraft, including private jets operating flights between London–Farnborough or other destinations.

3. Pricing Initiatives
   Farnborough became the first airport worldwide to offer SAF at the same price as standard Jet A1 during a 2022 trial period, incentivizing private jet operators and owners to adopt this greener solution.

A Global Context Fostering SAF Adoption

• European Union: Under the Fit for 55 strategy, the EU plans to require a minimum SAF percentage for flights departing from EU airports.

• Aircraft Manufacturers: Airbus and Boeing are conducting research to validate their aircraft’s compatibility with blends of up to 100% SAF.

• Airlines: Numerous carriers are signing long-term supply contracts and encouraging passengers to offset or reduce their carbon footprints.

The business aviation segment, known for its agility, can rapidly implement these emerging fuels. Farnborough Airport intends to serve as a model, becoming a reference point for energy transition in private flights to and from London.

Challenges Facing the Widespread Adoption of SAF

Despite its potential, SAF must overcome several obstacles (source: AeroMag):

• Production and Availability: Current production capacity lags behind demand, occasionally driving up SAF prices.

• Cost: SAF remains more expensive than kerosene, hindering adoption without robust financial or regulatory incentives.

• Infrastructure: Many airports have yet to invest in the necessary storage and distribution facilities.

• Standardization and Traceability: Verifying feedstock origin and full lifecycle impacts is crucial to ensure SAF’s actual sustainability.

Through its investments and policy commitment, Farnborough Airport demonstrates that rapid transition is feasible when stakeholders join forces.

Conclusion: Farnborough Airport, a Key Player for Eco-Friendly Business Aviation near London

By reinforcing its agreement with Hydrogen Refinery for a substantial SAF supply and adopting incentive-based pricing strategies, Farnborough Airport shows how concrete decarbonization of business aviation—especially in the London area—can be achieved.
For discerning operators and travelers, this development represents a genuine opportunity for the future: choosing airports and partners that are invested in emission reduction. Innovation, political resolve, and industrial cooperation will all be crucial in accelerating the move toward a more sustainable aviation sector.

Linkinjet’s View

At Linkinjet, we applaud these initiatives that help green the business aviation sector, particularly in the strategic corridor between London and Farnborough. As a charter broker, we are convinced that SAF availability at Farnborough Airport, as well as at other key airports, opens new possibilities for our clients concerned about their carbon footprint.
Our team is ready to assist you in selecting the aircraft and airports that meet your performance and environmental responsibility requirements—whether you’re traveling for business or private purposes in the London region or anywhere else in Europe.