A Fuzzy MCDM Approach for the Evaluation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alternatives Under Uncertainty

Melek Işık (), Fatma Şeyma Yüksel and Olcay Kalan
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Melek Işık: Department of Industry Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Çukurova University, Adana 01330, Türkiye
Fatma Şeyma Yüksel: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Adıyaman University, Adıyaman 02040, Türkiye
Olcay Kalan: Department of Industry Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Çukurova University, Adana 01330, Türkiye

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-28

Abstract: The increasing carbon footprint of civil aviation has made the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) a strategic necessity in line with the sector’s sustainability goals. This study evaluates the existing SAF types based on environmental, economic, technical and social criteria, determines the criteria weights with Fuzzy-Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (F-SWARA) and selects the most suitable alternative through Spherical Fuzzy-Multi Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis plus full MULTIplicative form (SF-MULTIMOORA) method. The alternative evaluation process was carried out on a Python-based online platform and sensitivity analysis was performed on five different scenarios. According to the findings, the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA-SPK) alternative stands out as the most suitable option in all scenarios, followed by the Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK) alternative. In contrast, Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ-SPK) and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) options seem to be more variable and less stable. The study provides methodological contributions for the evaluation of SAF alternatives with fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods and provides strategic implications for manufacturers and airlines in achieving the low-carbon targets of the aviation sector.

Keywords: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); uncertainty; multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); Fuzzy-SWARA (F-SWARA); Spherical Fuzzy-MULTIMOORA (SF-MULTIMOORA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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