EU holds firm on sustainable aviation fuel targets despite airline resistance
Europe's push for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is facing both progress and pushback. In 2024, the share of SAF in jet fuel rose to 2%, up from just 0.6% the previous year. Yet airlines are now warning that stricter future targets may be unrealistic without major changes.
The European Union has set clear targets for SAF adoption. By 2025, 2% of fuel at regional airports must come from sustainable sources, rising to 6% by 2030. A separate mandate requires synthetic eSAF to make up 1.2% of total fuel from 2030, climbing to 5% by 2035.
Airlines for Europe (A4E) has called for these eSAF requirements to be scaled back, citing limited supply and high production costs. However, Florian Guillermet, Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has made it clear that the mandate will not be weakened. An EU official reinforced this stance, stressing the need to maintain the targets while working to improve affordability. The debate comes as Europe's aviation sector appears to be meeting earlier goals. In 2024, SAF accounted for 2% of jet fuel, triple the previous year's figure. Guillermet also confirmed that the EU is on track to meet or exceed the 2% SAF target for 2025. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the Middle East have added pressure on traditional jet fuel supplies, further highlighting the need for alternatives.
The EU remains firm on its SAF and eSAF mandates, despite industry concerns over costs and availability. With SAF usage already growing, regulators insist the targets are achievable. The focus now shifts to making sustainable fuels more practical for airlines in the years ahead.
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