Statement by Airlines for Europe on the ReFuel EU Vote

Source: A4E

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee voted on a key piece of the future regulatory landscape that will enable airlines to meet their decarbonization pledges. The upscaling of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is a pivotal measure to decarbonise aviation in the short to medium term. A4E supports large parts of ReFuel EU.

We particularly welcome Rapporteur Gade’s desire to introduce a flexibility mechanism to supply SAF in a cost-efficient way across the Union in the spirit of a book and claim system, and his proposal for a mechanism to limit the price gap with conventional jet fuel.

A4E however urges MEPs to keep the volumes of SAF mandated at a reasonable level, in particular when it comes to synthetic fuels which will likely remain 5-6 times the price of kerosene in 2030 — in order to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the energy transition. A4E is also concerned that the compromise reached on the definition of eligible SAF could lead to the inclusion of non-sustainable feedstock for another decade.