Commission brings clarity on ReFuelEU Aviation implementation

The European Commission has published a report assessing the development of the EU sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) market and evaluating potential improvements to the SAF flexibility mechanism. Alongside the report, a comprehensive FAQ on ReFuelEU Aviation has been released to provide further clarity and support for stakeholders implementing the Regulation.

Report on the SAF flexibility mechanism: improving traceability

ReFuelEU Aviation plays a crucial role in the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by mandating an increasing share of SAF in aviation fuel. The industry is on track to meet the 2025 target of a 2% SAF share at EU airports and is progressing towards the 6% target for 2030. 

To support the gradual scale-up of SAF production, a flexibility mechanism allows fuel suppliers to average SAF blending obligations across EU airports until 2035. The report concludes that this mechanism, combined with the ongoing expansion of SAF production capacity in the EU, is already driving progress toward achieving SAF targets, and complex additional flexibility mechanisms appear to be unwarranted at this stage.

The report also highlights key areas for improvement, including enhancing traceability and transparency in SAF transactions, reducing administrative burdens, and simplifying reporting obligations for fuel suppliers and airlines. The Commission is already working to improve SAF traceability through its Union Database for Biofuels (UDB) and will explore further refinements to ensure better market oversight, particularly regarding SAF availability and pricing, whilst reducing administrative burden on enterprises.

Welcoming the report, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: “ReFuelEU Aviation sets European air transport on a solid path to decarbonisation. It improves the tracking of sustainable aviation fuels, to simplify reporting obligations, and to strengthen the verification mechanism. These improvements address industry concerns, strengthen EU SAF market, and support the transition to sustainable aviation.”

The Commission will continue to monitor SAF market developments, with a focus on advanced biofuels and synthetic aviation fuels. Further assessment of SAF accounting mechanisms, including those enabling virtual trading of SAF certificates, is also under preparation. The Commission will come forward with a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan later in 2025, outlining a strategic approach to scale-up and prioritise investments in transport decarbonisation solutions, including SAF. 

ReFuelEU Aviation FAQ: further clarity for stakeholders

A Frequently Asked Questions document covering provisions of ReFuelEU Aviation has also been published, to help ensure uniform application of the Regulation. The FAQ provides clarity on its scope, fuels eligibility criteria, reporting obligations and enforcement, supply requirements, and the Flight Emissions Label (FEL). 

For More Information

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – The ReFuelEU Aviation SAF flexibility mechanism

Supporting Study to the Commission report – Assessment of the production and supply of SAF in Union airports and study on the feasibility of the creation of a system of tradability of SAF in the EU

Frequently Asked Questions – ReFuelEU Aviation

ReFuelEU Aviation