Major European airlines – including Ryanair, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa – have urged the EU to ease sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) regulations and mandates, suggesting the current high costs of greener fuels are a hindrance to growth and make current targets unachievable.
Currently, European airlines have to have 2% of their annual fuel usage derived from SAF; with that percentage due to rise to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.
However, the industry is concerned as supply remains tight and SAF costs are up to five times the cost of traditional aviation fuel.
Global aviation representative group, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that current SAF targets are unrealistic and unachievable in the current cost and supply climate.
IATA chief, Willie Walsh was recently quoted as saying: “We can’t just stand back and pretend that these targets are meaningful and can be achieved. They were never going to be capable of being achieved.”
And, now 17 of Europe’s main carriers – also including IAG, which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL – have formally called on the EU to tweak targets.
EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has said that meetings with airlines will take place in order for their concerns to be heard.
