Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has welcomed new government funding awarded to developers working on the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The funding, provided by the Department for Transport, is part of a £63 million national investment in 17 projects aimed at accelerating SAF production and supporting up to 1,400 jobs.
Government funding
According to Mike Kane, aviation minister, £63 million will be spread across 17 projects all around the country, with the aim of accelerating sustainable aviation fuel production and providing support to 1,400 jobs. This investment supports the creation of domestic sustainable aviation fuel in the United Kingdom (UK), especially in the North West, as it boosts the local economy.
Essar and NorthPointe Energy are developers that are a part of the project, receiving a total of £4.5 million of funding, which will enable the development of sustainable aviation fuel production at Stanlow. Stanlow already has an existing direct pipeline supplying aviation fuel to Manchester Airport, which provides a strategic advantage in the emerging sustainable aviation fuel market, meaning sustainable aviation fuels can be transported efficiently with low carbon emissions when compared with road transport.
Sustainable aviation goals
MAG has a target of reaching net-zero by 2038, collaborating with other airlines to facilitate the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The company, which operates airports and businesses, published its sustainability strategy in May 2025 called ‘Creating a Sustainable Future for All’ and has a set target to reduce 27% emissions from departing aircraft by 2035. With the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel mandate and revenue certainty mechanism, this investment contributes to the UK’s sustainability goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and also creates new jobs across the UK.
Neil Robinson, chief sustainability officer at MAG, welcomed the government’s funding and the support it brings to the production of sustainable aviation fuel across the UK. Robinson said that the investment will help the UK reach its target by 2050. He said:
“I am pleased to see £4.5 million of investment awarded to Essar and NorthPointe Energy, that will see airlines using Manchester Airport have direct access to SAF via the existing pipeline to the Stanlow production site. This funding, together with the UK SAF Mandate and Parliament’s support of a Revenue Certainty Mechanism, plays an important role in the creation of a domestic SAF industry, which will support the creation of thousands of new green jobs and secure a future of sustainable flying.”
What are your thoughts on this support from the government? Leave your comments below.
