The International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Aviation Energy Forum 2026, held from May 12-14, served as a crucial gathering for stakeholders across the aviation fuel sector. The event brought together airlines, refiners, traders, storage operators, and energy policymakers to address the complex transition towards sustainable aviation fuel in Europe, as reported by MaltaToday.
Discussions highlighted that while the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation mandates progressive SAF blending, its implementation faces considerable difficulties. Key challenges include a limited number of production facilities and insufficient logistics infrastructure for the movement, storage, blending, and delivery of compliant SAF at scale. Storage limitations, restricted pipeline access, and fragmented cross-border transport networks were identified as immediate obstacles.
The forum also considered the broader energy security landscape, noting that geopolitical instability, fluctuating refinery margins, and tighter emissions targets are simultaneously impacting the availability and pricing of conventional jet fuel. Companies that have invested in multiple segments of the logistics chain, such as physical storage, blending capabilities, certified supply agreements, and access to strategic distribution networks, are viewed as critical to the aviation energy transition.
Malta-based commodity trading and energy logistics group Alkagesta participated in the forum, reflecting its expanding involvement in aviation fuel markets. The company has recently enhanced its aviation fuel operations through supply agreements linked to NATO's Central European Pipeline System, which serves major airports in Germany and Belgium. Alkagesta also obtained ISCC CORSIA certification, enabling it to trade and supply CORSIA-eligible sustainable aviation fuel.
Sources
- MaltaToday, “Alkagesta participates in IATA Aviation Energy Forum amid SAF market transition”, 2026-05-28 — maltatoday.com.mt
- Alkagesta — alkagesta.com
