Commission welcomes ICAO agreement on new aircraft standards for fuel efficiency and noise levels driving sustainability in aviation

The European Commission welcomes the landmark decision reached last Friday at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). The agreement establishes a comprehensive set of new binding standards for aircraft fuel efficiency, to take effect on 31 December 2031, and noise levels for new aircraft, set to come into force as of 1 January 2029. Formal adoption is expected at an upcoming ICAO Council session. 

Commercial aircraft seeking certification after these dates will be subject to new global CO2 standards, demanding a significant improvement in fuel efficiency and noise levels. 

Compared to models produced under current standards, aircraft in the next decade will need to achieve significant fuel efficiency gains, with a minimum 10% reduction in fuel consumption at certification point.  

This new generation of aircraft will be around 35% more efficient compared to 2000 models, reflecting the governments’ commitment to reaching net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.  

In addition, as of 2029, future aircraft will need to be at least 6dB quieter. This represents a significant improvement in noise reduction, with noise levels expected to decrease by over 30%, compared to current models.  

While achieving simultaneous progress on both fuel efficiency and noise reduction is technologically challenging, this new dual ICAO standard encourages further innovation to meet both objectives, striking a crucial balance between environmental sustainability and community well-being. 

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: “This agreement is a big step forward for the aviation sector to reach the long-term climate targets. It will also improve the quality of life for people living near airports. By focusing on innovation and efficiency, we can keep safety standards high, ensure strong connectivity, and promote a fair global playing field.”

Other important decisions taken by the global aviation community at the CAEP/13 meeting include the agreement on the methodology for monitoring and reporting progress towards the long-term net-zero CO₂ goal by 2050, and the full recognition and integration of aviation fuels based on electricity input in the global framework, with the potential to deliver significant emissions reductions. The future CAEP programme (2025-2028) will be looking to accelerate key work on reducing the climate impact from aviation non-CO₂ emissions, updating the aircraft engine NOx emissions standard and completing the alignment between the CORSIA framework and the offset units accepted as means of compliance by the UNFCCC.

The leadership of the European Union and its Member States has been instrumental in ensuring these outcomes.