‘Nobody Wants to Pay More’: TotalEnergies CEO Says Airlines Blocking Green Fuel Push

The chief executive of TotalEnergies has accused airlines of slowing the global rollout of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), saying the industry is unwilling to pay higher costs required to scale up green fuel production.

Speaking on the challenges facing aviation decarbonisation, the TotalEnergies CEO said that while airlines publicly commit to net‑zero targets, many resist absorbing SAF’s price premium over conventional jet fuel. This reluctance, he argued, is creating a deadlock that prevents fuel producers from investing at scale.

SAF currently costs significantly more than traditional aviation fuel due to limited production volumes and supply‑chain constraints. Energy companies say long‑term purchase commitments from airlines are essential to expand capacity and bring prices down. However, airlines counter that thin margins and price‑sensitive passengers leave little room to pass on additional costs.

The standoff highlights a broader structural issue in aviation’s climate transition: uncertainty over who should bear the cost of decarbonisation. Without stronger government mandates, subsidies or shared‑cost frameworks, SAF risks remaining a niche solution rather than a mainstream replacement.

Industry analysts warn that unless airlines, fuel suppliers and regulators align on pricing and incentives, aviation’s climate goals could face significant delays, even as pressure mounts from governments and consumers to cut emissions.