Brussels, 28 February 2025
The EU Commission has today published a report assessing the development of the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) market in the EU, as well as potential improvements to the SAF flexibility mechanism. SAF is a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air travel.
The report measures progress so far towards the EU’s target of providing 2% of SAF at EU airports by 2025 and 6% by 2030. The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation plays a crucial role in achieving this objective by requiring aviation fuel suppliers to increase the share of SAF in the jet fuel blend. According to the report, the industry is on track to meet the 2% SAF target at EU airports by 2025, and is making progress towards the 6% target for 2030. To support the gradual increase in SAF production, a flexibility mechanism allows fuel suppliers to average their SAF blending obligations at EU airports until 2035. The report concludes that this mechanism, combined with the continued expansion of SAF production capacity in the EU, is already yielding positive results in achieving the SAF targets.
The report also highlights key areas for improvement and makes suggestions such as monitoring SAF transactions to improve traceability and transparency and reduce administrative burdens on fuel suppliers and airlines.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, welcomed the report: “ReFuelEU Aviation puts European air transport on the path to decarbonisation. Based on today’s report, we will act to improve the tracking of sustainable aviation fuels, simplifying reporting obligations and strengthening the verification mechanism. These improvements address industry concerns, strengthen the EU’s sustainable aviation fuel market and support the transition to sustainable aviation.”
Alongside this report, a comprehensive FAQ on ReFuelEU Aviation has been published to provide more clarity and support to those responsible for implementing the Regulation. For more information on the report and FAQs, click here.
Source – EU Commission