15:52 27 October 2025
Polish air force may still need to import expensive fuel for operations
In 2022, Orlen’s then-CEO Daniel Obajtek announced a new installation in Płock to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) domestically. The project, however, has been delayed by at least a year, forcing Poland to rely on expensive imports. Under EU ReFuelEU Aviation rules, airlines must gradually increase SAF use—from 2% in 2025 to 70% by 2050—but global supply remains limited and costly.
Orlen now plans to start operations in 2026, initially producing components for diesel rather than SAF. The company cites high raw material prices and limited access to waste-based feedstock, mostly controlled by Asian suppliers.
As a result, Ryanair and LOT face soaring costs—about $200 million and 100 million PLN respectively—just to meet environmental targets, eating into annual profits. Airline executives criticize EU policy, warning it undermines competitiveness against non-EU carriers. They argue that real progress lies in fuel-efficient aircraft and new engine technologies, not costly SAF mandates.
(wnp.pl)
