BUSINESS NEWS


Aviation eco body scales back SAF’s forecast impact


The industry’s Sustainable Aviation coalition issued a revised Net Zero Carbon Road Map last week which significantly lowers the contribution of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to decarbonisation by 2050 and discounts the impact of hydrogen and electric aircraft. Sustainable Aviation calculates


the shortfall will be made up by more than doubling the previously estimated contribution of greenhouse gas removals from the atmosphere despite the technology remaining unproven at scale. The coalition – which represents


UK airlines, airports, aviation manufacturers, fuel producers and aviation suppliers and includes


Abta – published its previous roadmap in 2023. Compared with that guidance,


bl


• SAF accounting for a 31% reduction in overall carbon


the 2026 revised Road Map forecasts:


emissions from UK aviation by 2050 – down from 39%


reduction – up from 14%


Iata appoints economist Zahidi to be first female director general


Iata has appointed its first female director general to succeed Willie Walsh, former head of British Airways and its parent IAG, and only the second in its history to join from outside aviation. Economist Saadia Zahidi,


•Upgrades to airline fleets to the latest aircraft to contribute a 20%


•Hydrogen and electric aircraft to provide no benefit – down from 16%


•The removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to contribute


29% – up from 13%


•The remainder to be gained from reduced demand owing to the


increased cost of flying.


managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), will take over from November 1, with Walsh due to join Indian carrier Indigo as chief executive next week. Chief financial officer Sandrine Le Borgne will act as interim director general. The five Iata


heads prior to


Walsh were previously the chief executives of Air France-KLM, Cathy Pacific, Alitalia, Air Canada and Lufthansa. Up to 1985 Iata was headed


Saadia Zahidi


first by the former head of the UK Civil Aviation Authority and then by the ex-head of the European Free Trade Association, who had previously held a senior role at Sweden’s aviation authority. The Iata board said Zahidi’s 20 years’ experience at the WEF “will enhance and strengthen Iata as the voice of the world’s airlines [and] bring a fresh perspective”.


Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy starts Ian Taylor


The UK’s first city-wide tourism tax, the Edinburgh Visitor Levy, came into effect on July 24 in time for the Edinburgh Festival, which begins on August 7 and is a key contributor to the city’s more than five million overnight visitors a year. The 5% levy applies to all


overnight accommodation bills for the first five nights and is projected to raise up to £50 million a year to invest “in sustaining, supporting and enhancing” Edinburgh’s appeal “as a place to visit and live”, with the fee unchanged through the year. The tax could become a model for


cities popular with tourists. However, the Scottish Tourism Alliance voiced concerns at the impact on tourism and hospitality businesses and called for “close monitoring before other local


travelweekly.co.uk


authorities commit” to similar schemes. Alliance chief executive Marc


Crothall suggested the levy “risks more harm than good”, saying: “One of the biggest concerns is around the impact on secondary visitor spend, particularly among families and groups. “Will it lead to some choosing


not to stay in Edinburgh or to take shorter stays? Will it result in people spending less in restaurants, pubs, shops and attractions?” He noted Edinburgh was recently


rated the third most-expensive destination for a mid-range weekend break in Europe. The levy has been applied to


advance bookings since last October. Edinburgh councillors agreed on


the first programmes to receive levy funds in February. A full list of projects is available on the council website. Council leader Jane Meagher


Edinburgh Castle


hailed “an important moment for our city, our residents and visitors”, saying: “We know the city’s popularity comes at a cost through the pressure it puts on services and on the people who live and work here. “This small contribution from


overnight visitors will help improve the services and public spaces we all depend on, while better managing the effects of tourism. We’ll be able


to invest more in our many parks and greenspaces and bring much-loved cultural venues back into use for the first time in decades.” Julie Ashworth, chair of the


Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, added: “The forum is here to put forward the views of the city as investment projects take shape.” The Edinburgh Festival runs until


the end of August. 30 JULY 2026 63


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Richie Chan


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