Mercedes Mullins
Aviation fuel, also known as jet fuel, is a refined form of kerosene used in gas turbine-powered aircraft. As of 2019, global fuel consumption by commercial airlines reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted fuel consumption, with a 42% drop from 2019 to 2020. While fuel consumption has been increasing since, it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. With the aviation industry's reliance on jet fuel and the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuels, there is a growing interest in sustainable aviation fuel and alternative fuel sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines in 2019 | 95 billion gallons |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines in 2020 | 52 billion gallons |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines in 2021 | 92 billion gallons |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines in 2023 | 8% less than in 2019 |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines in 2024 | 99 billion gallons |
| U.S. jet fuel consumption in 2023 | 1.65 million barrels per day |
| U.S. jet fuel consumption in 2019 | 5% higher than in 2023 |
| U.S. jet fuel consumption in 2020 | Lowest since 1985 |
| Average fuel left in a 737 aircraft after landing | 5,000-8,000 lbs |
| Types of aviation fuel | Jet A-1, Jet B, Jet TS-1, Avgas, CNG, LNG, etc. |
| Aviation fuel tax exemption cost in the UK | £10 billion annually |
| Aviation fuel alternatives | Sustainable aviation fuel, straight vegetable oils, hydrogen, aviation biofuel, synthetically created fuel, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel consumption fell 42% from 2019 to 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in jet fuel consumption worldwide. From a record high of 95 billion gallons in 2019, global fuel consumption by commercial airlines fell to 52 billion gallons in 2020—a 42% decrease. This sharp drop can be attributed to the restrictions on travel implemented during the pandemic, which significantly reduced the number of flights operating.
In the United States, jet fuel consumption in 2020 fell to its lowest level since 1985. The pandemic led to a reduction in air travel, causing a significant decrease in fuel consumption. Additionally, labor supply constraints in the aviation sector and high fuel prices hindered the recovery of jet fuel consumption.
While jet fuel consumption began to rebound in 2021 as travel restrictions eased, it remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Commercial carriers consumed 8% less fuel in 2023 than in 2019. This was due to several factors, including reduced activity by foreign-based commercial carriers, declining freight activity, and improving fuel efficiency in newer aircraft.
The pandemic also impacted general aviation and military and government users, although to a lesser extent. General aviation fuel consumption was 11% lower in 2020 than in 2019, while military and government jet fuel use declined by only 7%. By 2021, jet fuel consumption by these user groups had recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
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Jet fuel is a clear to straw-coloured unleaded kerosene
Jet A1 is a widely used jet fuel that is straw-coloured and based on unleaded kerosene. It has a freezing point of −47 °C, making it suitable for high altitudes and cold temperatures. Jet A1 also includes an anti-static additive to prevent electrical discharge during refuelling, increasing safety. Jet A is another kerosene-grade jet fuel with a similar freezing point to Jet A1. It is usually only available in North America as it complies with US standards.
Jet B is a naphtha-kerosene blend with enhanced cold-weather performance. It has a very low freezing point of −60 °C, making it ideal for extremely cold environments. Jet B is more volatile than Jet A and Jet A1, but this is less of a concern in low-temperature locations like Northern Canada and Alaska, where it is primarily used.
The demand for jet kerosene has increased to more than 5% of all refined products derived from crude oil. This has led to the optimisation of yield through varying process techniques and the use of additives to improve performance and prevent engine wear.
The aviation industry is under pressure to transition from jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), also known as aviation biofuel. Synthetic jet fuels, such as Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK), can reduce pollutants and improve air quality around airports. However, the timeline for adopting hydrogen as an alternative fuel is lengthy, and jet fuel remains crucial for the industry's immediate needs.
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Airlines aren't required to report fuel on landing
While there are international guidelines for fuel requirements, such as the ICAO Annex 6, Part I, section 4.3.6 "Fuel Requirements", airlines are not mandated to report their fuel levels on landing. This means that there is no central database of average landing fuel. However, modern commercial airliners automatically upload all flight data, including fuel levels, via phone connection immediately after landing.
The amount of fuel left in commercial flights after landing can vary depending on several factors. These include the type of aircraft, the duration of the flight, weather conditions, the number of runways and divert fields at the destination airport, and the price and availability of fuel at the destination. For example, a 737 typically lands with between 5,000 and 8,000 lbs of fuel remaining, with shorter flights in good weather conditions likely to have lower fuel reserves.
In some cases, airlines may engage in fuel tankering, where they add more fuel than is needed for the current flight to avoid refuelling at the destination airport, either due to higher fuel prices or fuel unavailability. This practice can impact the amount of fuel left on landing. Additionally, factors such as waiting times, human error in fuel calculations, and the need to maintain a safe landing weight can also affect fuel levels.
While not a standard requirement, landing with less than the minimum amount of fuel can prompt an investigation by aviation safety boards to determine the root cause of insufficient fuel. This indicates that while airlines may not routinely report fuel levels on landing, there are still oversight mechanisms in place to ensure safe fuel management practices.
The lack of mandatory reporting on landing fuel levels makes it challenging to determine the exact amount of aviation fuel left in the world. However, we can look at global fuel consumption statistics by commercial airlines to gain some insight. According to data, commercial airlines consumed 95 billion gallons of fuel in 2019, with a drop to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As of 2021, fuel consumption was on the rise again, with forecasts of 92 billion gallons in 2023 and 99 billion gallons in 2024.
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Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions
The aviation industry is facing increasing demands for carbon reduction, and the need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is rising. SAF is a biofuel that can be used to power aircraft, and it has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. SAF can be produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks such as food waste, yard waste, woody biomass, fats, greases, and oils. SAF can also be made from carbon-rich waste gases, where waste carbon monoxide from industrial processes is captured and upgraded with bacteria into ethanol for conversion into "alcohol-to-jet" SAF.
SAF has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. Depending on the feedstock and technology pathway, 100% SAF may reduce emissions by up to 94%. SAF's lower carbon intensity makes it an important solution for reducing emissions from the aviation industry, which made up 9%–12% of U.S. transportation emissions in 2023.
The production and use of SAF offer several benefits. Firstly, SAF is compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure, as it can be blended with conventional jet fuel. This blend must be tuned to achieve the key properties needed to support safe and reliable aircraft operations. Secondly, SAF production and consumption can help sustain the benefits of the biofuel industry, creating and securing employment opportunities. Thirdly, SAF can be made with a variety of technologies that use physical, biological, and chemical reactions to break down biomass and waste resources and recombine them into energy-dense hydrocarbons.
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, announced in 2021, aims to expand domestic consumption of SAF to 3 billion gallons by 2030 and 35 billion gallons by 2050 while achieving at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative brings together multiple federal agencies to address the increasing demand for jet fuel, which is expected to rise over the next three decades, and promote the adoption of SAF as a more sustainable alternative.
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Jet fuel prices fell 7.4% in one week in 2025
The aviation industry is a significant consumer of jet fuel, with global consumption reaching an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp drop in fuel consumption to 52 billion gallons in 2020, but the industry has been recovering since.
In 2025, jet fuel prices experienced a notable decrease, with the global average jet fuel price falling by 7.4% in one particular week. This decline was part of a broader trend of decreasing jet fuel prices that year, with the average cost of jet fuel projected to be lower than in 2024. For instance, in March 2025, the national average price for a gallon of Jet-A fuel in the US declined by 4 cents from February and was 34 cents lower than in March 2024.
This decrease in jet fuel prices occurred despite expectations of rising fuel consumption in 2025, projected to reach 107 billion gallons, a 6% increase from the previous year. However, the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is expected to impact fuel costs. While SAF is more expensive than conventional jet fuel, its increased availability is projected to contribute to emission reductions.
The downward pressure on jet fuel prices in 2025 may be attributed to various factors, including market dynamics, increased production, and the industry's progress in introducing sustainable aviation fuel. However, refinery issues could temporarily disrupt this trend, causing price spikes. Overall, the jet fuel market in 2025 is characterized by lower prices alongside increasing demand.
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Frequently asked questions
I am unable to answer this question as there is no information on the current amount of aviation fuel left in the world. However, I can tell you that the global fuel consumption by commercial airlines was 95 billion gallons in 2019, which dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Most aviation fuels are kerosene-based and are used in gas turbine-powered aircraft. Jet A-1 is a type of kerosene-based fuel that powers modern commercial airliners.
Alternatives to conventional fossil-based aviation fuels include sustainable aviation fuel, straight vegetable oils, aviation biofuel, and synthetically created fuel ("e-jet").
There is no central database of average landing fuel, but typically, between 5,000 and 8,000 lbs of fuel remain for a 737 aircraft.
