Singapore Airshow highlights shift to sustainable fuel

SINGAPORE -- The biennial Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest aerospace and defense industry event, kicked off Tuesday, highlighting the industry's shift toward sustainable fuel as governments around the world require the greater use of greener energy.

This year's event, which runs through Sunday, will host more than 1,000 companies from over 50 countries. Organizers expect over 60,000 visitors during the industry-focused period through Friday, surpassing the scale of 2024. Exhibitors include aircraft makers Airbus and Boeing, engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, and numerous aviation-related businesses.

"In Asia-Pacific, sustainability is really one of the key topics," Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia, the event's organizer, said on Sunday ahead of the show.

Some industry groups expect sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) -- an alternative fuel derived from nonpetroleum feedstocks, which reduces planes' carbon emissions -- could account for up to 5% of global jet fuel consumption by 2030.

Singapore has set a national target of 1% SAF adoption by the end of this year. It will impose a SAF levy on all departing passengers, cargo shipments and general or business aviation flights starting in October. Neighboring countries such as Indonesia are keen to increase production of SAF derived from palm oil.

During a flying display on Sunday ahead of the event, Airbus showcased the A350-1000 ultra-long-haul plane. The European company's latest model can use a 50% blend of SAF and conventional fuel. By 2030, all Airbus aircraft and helicopters will be capable of flying on pure SAF, the company has said.

Boeing showed off a lineup of energy-efficient aircraft, including the 777X's interior section and an all-electric helicopter taxi cabin. The U.S. company has also pledged that its commercial jets will be capable of operating on 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Rolls-Royce, which manufactures fan blades in Singapore and has committed to making all of its civil aircraft engines in production compatible with 100% SAF, signed a memorandum of understanding with the city-state's Economic Development Board on Tuesday, aiming to explore growth opportunities for aerospace manufacturing.

"Rolls-Royce is a long-standing partner to Singapore's aerospace and manufacturing sectors. We've seen firsthand how partnership, collaboration and innovation are essential to support sustainable growth for Singapore and the region," said John Kelly, the company's senior vice president for Asia-Pacific.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) is seeking the spotlight, with its C919 narrow-body jet making its second appearance at the event since 2024.

COMAC remains heavily dependent on Chinese airlines and a handful of smaller Southeast Asian carriers for business, including operators in Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia. Neither the C919 nor the smaller C909 regional jet have been certified by Western regulators, limiting their prospects outside markets aligned with Beijing.

The International Air Transport Association expects the aviation industry to continue its steady recovery, forecasting global airline net profits will climb to $41 billion in 2026, up from $39.5 billion in 2025. Passenger traffic is expected to rise 4.4% to 5.2 billion travelers. The Asia-Pacific market is expected to reinforce this trend, with regional load factors -- the percentage of seats sold versus total capacity -- forecast to reach a record 84.4% in 2026.

Launched in 2008, the Singapore Airshow has grown into one of the industry's marquee events. Held at the Changi Exhibition Center next to the city-state's main gateway, it stands alongside the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., the Paris Air Show and the Dubai Airshow as one of the industry's biggest showcases.

This year, the two-day Space Summit was held through Tuesday as a sideline event for the first time, reflecting Singapore's ambition to take center stage in Asia's space industry. The event brought together 330 companies and organizations from across the world.

Singapore Technologies Engineering announced Monday that it will build a constellation of radar satellites in Singapore, a move expected to enhance the city-state's space capabilities and strengthen its high-tech engineering ecosystem.

Low Jin Phang, ST Engineering's chief operating officer for defense and public security, said its space program will "leverage artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems for customers worldwide."