The aviation sector issues urgent calls to accelerate policy measures on sustainable aviation fuels
The European aviation sector, represented by partners at Destination 2050, together with fuel suppliers (Europe, Hydrogen Europe, Project Sky Power) and freight and Express Delivery Operators (European Cargo Alliance, European Express Association), issued an urgent call to aid in accelerating policy support to unlock the possibility of a complete decarburization of sustainable aviation competition (SAF).
The joint call highlights the pressing challenges of affordable SAF deployments across Europe. The main thing among them is that the current SAF market remains early – HEFA-based fuels (water droplet esters and fatty acids) are today's only commercial options, facing a significant cost gap compared to traditional kerosene. At the same time, next-generation SAF pathways such as E-SAF and Advanced Biofuels continue to struggle with access to investments, particularly when reaching final investment decisions (FID).
In response, the industry has created a 10-point action plan designed to address early deployment and catalyze the scale-up of SAF production and deployment. The plan lays out key regulatory and financial indicators needed to close risks, substantial cost gaps, and encourages innovation in transportation-critical fuel technology.
This call for action was handed over to Apostoros Zizzichostas, Commissioner of Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment as the Commission prepares to announce its sustainable transport investment plan in the third quarter of 2025.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a wide range of services,” said Montserrat Barriga, Executive Director of the ERA. “Sustainable aviation fuels are an important part of the aviation journey to Net Zero by 2050, but asymmetric access is available across the network. We will introduce transparency and effective monitoring mechanisms.
* Representatives are A4E, ACI Europe, ASD, Canso Europe, and ERA
About A4E
European Airlines (A4E) is Europe's largest aviation association. Brussels-based A4E works with policymakers to ensure that aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable way. With a modern fleet of over 3,600 aircraft, the A4E airline carried over 718 million passengers in 2023 and provided nearly 2,100 destinations. Each year, A4E members transport over 5 million tonnes of important goods and equipment to more than 360 destinations, either by cargo ships or passenger aircraft. The A4E is #flyingforourfuture, a commitment to Europe and a call for action to European policymakers. Please visit www.flyingforourfuture.eu
About ACI Europe
ACI Europe is the European region of the Airport Council, the only global professional association of airport operators. ACI Europe represents over 600 airports in 55 countries. Our members promote more than 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 14 million jobs and generates 851 billion euros (5% of GDP) in European economic activity. In response to the climate emergency, in June 2019, our members committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 for controlled operations without offsetting. Based in Brussels, we lead and serve the European airport industry and maintain strong links with other ACI regions around the world. www.aci-europe.org
About ASD
ASD is the voice of the European aerospace, security and defense industries. The overall representative of the Brussels-based association is now more than 4,000 companies, accounting for 98% of the industry's total revenue and 92% of total employment in Europe. ASD advocates a common position and actively supports competitive development of industries across Europe and around the world by providing technical expertise to public institutions and member companies. For more information, visit www.asd-europe.org and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Kanso
Canso – Civil Air Navigation Services Organization is the global voice of the air traffic management (ATM) industry and shapes the sky for the future. Our members support over 90% of the world's air traffic and include aviation navigation service providers, airspace users and operators, manufacturers and suppliers in the aviation industry. We raise the standard for global ATM performance by connecting industries to share knowledge, expertise and innovation. www.canso.org
About the times
Founded in 1980, the European Regional Aviation Association (ERA) is a nonprofit association representing more than 50 airlines as well as approximately 150 other companies involved in European air transport, and is the only association that brings together the entire range of companies involved in European aviation. The Association supports and defends the aviation industry in providing safe, efficient and sustainable air connections to all parts of Europe. By lobbying European regulatory bodies on policy issues, ERA promotes and protects social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and local economies and community development. www.eraa.org
About destination 2050
The European aviation sector is collectively mounted to lead the way to reduce aviation CO2 emissions, making flights more sustainable in the long term. In February 2021, European airlines, airports, civil aviation industry and aviation navigation service providers laid out a joint long-term vision with concrete solutions, along with the complex challenge of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions from all EU, UK, EFTA combined by 2050 by EFTA combined, with all flights. Actions from all stakeholders in four key areas (EU and all stakeholders, including the EU and the central government, can achieve significant CO2 emission reductions in line with the EU climate targets. These include improvements in aircraft and engine technology (including hybrid, electric and hydrogen propulsion), sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for both fixed and rotorcraft platforms, and economic measurements and improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations. The updated roadmap was released in February 2025. For more information, please visit www.destination2050.eu.
Source: ERA
aeromorning.com
