Europe’s airlines seek global vision for sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as European rules take effect

Europe’s leading airlines are calling for a global response to accelerate the transition to greener fuels as the Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF) kicks off in Dubai. Airlines for Europe (A4E) looks forward to ICAO establishing a global vision of 4-5% CO2 emissions reduction from the use of SAF by 2030.

CAAF/3 kicks off just as the EU’s SAF regulation, known as ReFuelEU, comes into force. The global industry should follow in its footsteps to set achievable targets that promote the use of SAF. Europe’s airlines are confident that with the right supporting measures, the requirements of the EU’s regulation will be met, but global regulations will enhance the credibility of the aviation sector’s sustainability commitments and signal to investors that sustainable aviation is an industry ripe with opportunities.

A4E is also calling for the development of a global framework that will help to stimulate SAF demand and supply. The CAAF/3 should deliver a toolkit that can be implemented by states and which covers accounting methodologies for SAF, capacity building and improving access to finance for SAF.

European aviation commits to deliver the world’s most efficient, environmentally friendly sky

Associations representing the European aviation sector today adopted a Joint Industry Declaration announcing their intention to make Europe the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world.

In line with the EU’s Green Deal objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, and to optimise capacity in the skies, associations representing airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, aviation manufacturers and business aviation have committed to joint action. They aim to transform the sector and work together to maximise capacity in the air, whilst further reducing the environmental footprint of flying.

A key technological pathway to this transformation in the coming years is the optimisation of the European air traffic management (ATM) system. With European passenger traffic set to recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, digital innovation in ATM can improve efficiency and provide the capacity to meet this projected demand, while at the same time realising considerable CO2 savings. This transformation will be achieved by deploying new digital tools developed under the EU’s Single European Sky ATM Research Programme (SESAR).

As a first immediate step, the associations will work together to update the EU ATM Master Plan, which serves as the common roadmap for SESAR.

With this Declaration, the associations confirm their commitment to work together to make their industry truly sustainable and more efficient, for the benefit of all Europeans.

Agreement on ReFuel EU is a step forward in letting SAF flow in Europe

Agreement on ReFuel EU is a step forward in letting SAF flow in Europe

 

EU policymakers should now turn their attention to ensuring Europe develops a strong SAF industry that can provide enough sustainable fuel for airlines to fulfil the mandates agreed during the ReFuel EU negotiations concluded last night.  

Widespread adoption of SAF is a critical component of European aviation’s roadmap for achieving net zero and EU policymakers need to throw their efforts behind building up Europe’s SAF industry in the same way they are supporting other sustainable technologies.

 

With the first mandate of 2% SAF uptake due by 2025, the agreement provides immediate certainty for airlines and the whole SAF industry. 

The single EU-wide mandate for SAF will prevent fragmentation of the EU’s single market for aviation through differing national targets in different member states. The EU mandate should now supplant national mandates and harmonise all relevant legislation. 

Strict reporting rules for fuel suppliers with transparency requirements with regards to the sustainability of the fuel provided will be critical to guarantee the legitimacy of the mandate in the eyes of the passengers. 

EU policymakers should ensure ReFuel EU can finally take to the skies and help set the course for net zero aviation in Europe

EU policymakers should ensure ReFuel EU can finally take to the skies and help set the course for net zero aviation in Europe

 

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is urging EU policymakers to persevere and come out of the latest ReFuel EU trilogue with an agreement. This will provide certainty for European aviation and allow the EU to focus on building the capacity for a thriving sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Europe. Ahead of the meeting of EU policymakers on 25 April, A4E is reiterating its calls for a European SAF mandate that ensures:

A single mandate in a single aviation market

Ambitious but achievable quotas

High standards for truly sustainable SAF

Price support mechanisms closing the gap between SAFs and fossil fuels

The EU is on the cusp of a new era of a sustainable and green energy. It needs to think about SAF the same way it thinks about wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen or CO2 storage in order to support aviation’s energy transition, strengthen fuel security and promote sustainable jobs. 

Speaking ahead of the trilogue, acting Managing Director of A4E Laurent Donceel said:

“Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will play a critical role in decarbonising European aviation. With the right policy in place, 30 SAF plants could be built across Europe over the next 7 years, saving 7 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030. But we need the final pieces of the puzzle to fit in place. We cannot have a situation where ReFuel EU is stuck in a holding pattern because of disagreements between policymakers.”

“Achieving this agreement should not come at the cost of the single market for aviation. It needs to ensure whatever targets that are set are ambitious, but which don’t price passengers out of the air. Achieving an agreement on ReFuel EU will be a milestone that should encourage EU policymakers to help build and sustain a competitive SAF industry in Europe,” added Donceel.

A4E Welcomes New Members Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney

A4E Welcomes New Members

Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney

 

A4E, Europe’s largest airline trade association, continues to grow with the addition of leading aerospace technology companies, Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, as premium associate members. Both part of Raytheon Technologies, Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are respectively amongst the world’s leading producers of aerospace systems and aircraft engines. The two companies employ over 20,000 high-skilled personnel across fourteen European countries, providing engineering design, R&D, and manufacturing capabilities as well as life cycle support services for most of Europe’s airlines.

 

“Joining A4E will further allow Collins Aerospace to collaborate with our customers and partners in Europe to achieve our ambition of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 for aviation”, said LeAnn Ridgeway, Chief Sustainability Officer, Collins Aerospace. “Collins Aerospace is in the unique position to jointly develop systems and technology solutions that will minimise the environmental footprint over the life cycle of the aircraft by reducing weight, optimising fuel, energy and operational efficiency as well as reducing noise.”

 

“We look forward to working with A4E and its members to advocate for the economic benefits and sustainable growth of the aviation sector in Europe,” said Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pratt & Whitney. “We are focused on continually developing our aircraft propulsion technologies and supporting greater use of sustainable aviation fuels, including for our Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, which since 2016 has enabled airlines in Europe to save more than a billion litres of fuel and two million metric tons of CO2 emissions.”

 

Welcoming the new members, Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director of A4E said, “I’m delighted to welcome two of the world’s leading aerospace technology companies as members of A4E. This further strengthens the voice for aviation in Brussels and EU member states. Combined with our sixteen airline members, four existing manufacturing members and four associate members, it further enhances the knowledge and expertise A4E brings to the table as we continue our advocacy for a strong and sustainable European aviation industry.”

 

Airlines 4 Europe statement on EU agreement reforming the Emissions Trading System (ETS) for aviation

A4E statement on EU agreement reforming the Emissions Trading System (ETS) for aviation

During their meeting in Brussels which began on 6th of December 2022, European negotiators agreed on a reform of the carbon market for aviation (“ETS in Aviation”). This reform is part of the broader Fit for 55 package of climate proposals currently making their way through the EU’s legislative process.

 

The decarbonisation of aviation is a global challenge. The deal reached today on the scope of the ETS shows that work towards an effective global carbon price for aviation has only started. This will build on the outcome of the 41st Triennial International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in October 2022.

 

We must not forget that airlines have been paying for their emissions through the EU ETS since 2012. The cost of compliance for the ETS is likely to have increased five times in size by 2025 to over EUR 5 billion annually.

 

A4E is extremely disappointed about the decision to phase out free ETS allowances currently granted to airlines by 2026. This is well before truly effective decarbonisation solutions will be available at the scale needed for them to be effective.

 

A4E welcomes the decision to better support decarbonisation in civil aviation. The creation of a novel system of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) allowances to help stimulate the rapid deployment of SAF and the earmarking of allowances under the Innovation Fund of the ETS are welcome. They will help lower the cost of the energy transition for airlines and give Europe a unique opportunity to become the leader in green aviation.

 

The future competitiveness of European aviation and the European SAF industry is clearly at stake. In a globally competitive environment where countries, such as the US through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), are willing to use public funds to incentivise the use and production of clean energies, it is essential that Europe finds the optimum level of incentives in order to maintain a level playing field. It is therefore crucial that the review of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2027 considers the impact of policies such as the EU ETS on air transport services.

A4E calls on all players in European aviation to learn the lessons of 2022 to prevent a repeat of the summer chaos

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is calling on all players in European aviation to step up and meet their responsibilities to ensure the mistakes of the past summer are not repeated.

 

Speaking today at the Eurocontrol Conference entitled Where to Next for European Aviation?, Managing Director Thomas Reynaert will highlight the challenges in ramping up capacity in the airline industry after nearly two years of relative inactivity and how airlines have been working tirelessly to overcome them. He will note however that airlines are highly dependent on a complex infrastructure that has failed to operate the way it should this summer.

 

From insufficient staffing at airport security, to slow border control and ATC strikes, Summer 2022 was filled with obstacles for airlines as they continue to recover from the devasting effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. Of particular concern is the continued requests at short notice from some major European airports for airlines to reduce capacity due to their inability to cope with the quick uptick in passenger demand.

 

Airlines 4 Europe issue statement on its position on EU data act.....

The Data Act is part of the European Strategy for data, together with e.g. the Data Governance Act. It is intended to be a transversal document across all sectors regarding the rights to use data. As such, it is not intended to replace or change existing sectoral regulation, but it will be the framework for any future sectoral regulation.

This paper outlines the sectoral needs and views of airlines linked to the use of data generated during the operation of an aircraft. Such data is not only used to provide Air Navigation Services,  which is regulated within the Single European Sky framework — but also for internal airline analytics and processes linked to aircraft maintenance, operational improvements, safety management or reducing the environmental impact of flying.

The general view of airlines is that the data generated in-flight (and in general during aircraft operation) should be owned and controlled by the airline.

A4E therefore fully supports the European Commission’s approach to the Data Act to allow for open access to data generated by the use of connected products by airlines, aircraft operators and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations. This open access to data will lead to increased operational efficiency and flight safety, more efficient maintenance and repair processes as

well as increased sustainability.

Introduction

“As a horizontal proposal, the Data Act envisages basic rules for all sectors as regards the rights to use data, such as in the areas of smart machinery or consumer goods. However, the rights and obligations on access and use of data have also been regulated to varying degrees at sectoral level. The Data Act will not change any such existing legislation, but future legislation in these areas should in principle be aligned with the horizontal principles of the Data Act.”1.

This document will deal with the sectoral view of airlines and aircraft operators (hereinafter jointly referred to as “aircraft operators”) as they rely heavily on data, its sharing, and analysis in two different areas:

• Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Air Navigation Service Provision
• Aircraft operator’s internal analytics and processes

Concerning ATM and the required operational data used to provide Air Navigation Services, it is mentioned in the draft text that this kind of data will fall under the auspices of the Single European Sky (SES) regulation and therefore will not be part of this paper. Unfortunately, the SES reform is progressing very slowly, and it is not yet clear what kind of data, or what usage will be covered in

SES.

Aircraft operators’ internal analytics and processes are directly linked to the EU Data Act. Aircraft operators use data analytics for optimising fuel consumption and technical operation, which can extend into other modes of transport. Aircraft MRO organisations use such data to develop and improve predictive maintenance tools helping aircraft operators to become more cost-efficient and sustainable. Unfortunately, retrieval and sharing of data is taxing and sometimes impossible, as dominant manufacturers of aircraft and connected products restrict access to “their” data.

Aviation remains one of the worst hit sectors, with Airlines 4 Europe airlines having lost nearly 500m passengers during COVID-19 pandemic.

Airline CEOs call for urgent action

Two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Europe, and five weeks after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, A4E CEOs are navigating back-to-back crises and have called on European policymakers to take urgent action on key legislative proposals that would strengthen airlines’ recovery prospects, protect and accelerate decarbonisation efforts and help rebuild passenger connectivity.

European aviation remains one of the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020-2021, A4E airlines lost over 500m passengers compared to 2019, and some experienced staff cuts  (-150,000 employees) due to the pandemic. According to the latest IATA forecast, Europe’s airlines are not expected to post a profit until 2023, or 2024 at the earliest. A thriving and economically viable aviation sector in Europe is a key enabler for other industries’ recovery, including tourism.

With fuel representing up to 35% of airlines’ operating costs, and energy prices expected to remain high until at least 2023, EU aviation policies must reflect the "new reality" airlines in Europe are facing. Despite strong pent-up demand among Europeans to travel again, record oil and carbon prices[1] combined with lengthy detours around Russian airspace will weaken competition between European and non-European carriers for flights to/from Asia.

Key policies must be re-assessed and swiftly updated to help airlines mitigate rising costs on multiple fronts and operate more efficiently. For example, more cost-efficient air navigation services for flights within Europe could be realized along with an up to 10% reduction in CO2 emissions by implementing the Single European Sky, which remains in trialogue negotiations between the European Council, the European Parliament and European Commission. 

Without appropriate mitigation measures, future energy and climate policies will erode airlines’ competitiveness and lead to carbon leakage.

CEOs reiterated their commitment to reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and support European carbon reduction targets -- but stressed the need for global climate action and pricing support measures to level the playing field.  A4E CEOs want global uniform regulation, including a global carbon price for aviation which would stimulate low carbon technology development -- as well as using the system of ETS allowances to support the uptake of sustainable fuels.

A4E CEOs call for gradual lifting of all travel restrictions this summer

70% of EU population on track to receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by end of June, with nearly 25% fully vaccinated.

EU countries must swiftly restore freedom of movement for citizens and implement COVID Digital Certificate system without additional restrictions.

Testing & quarantines cannot become the ‘new norm’ in travel.

At the annual A4E Aviation Summit held virtually last week, apparently, due to the continued lack of EU coordination on COVID-19 travel restrictions, the forever moaning CEOs of Europe’s biggest airlines called on governments to restore freedom of movement for citizens and gradually lift all travel restrictions this summer, citing rising vaccination rates and tools such as the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate system, which is expected to be in place across the majority of EU Member States by 01 July.

“The science is clear that unrestricted, safe travel is possible for many intra-European flights already – and this will only increase as the vaccine rolls out further. We all have a responsibility, including European governments, to ensure that European travel is accessible and affordable for everyone – tests and certificates cannot become the new norm in travel”, said Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet and A4E’s 2021 Chair. 

Europe’s travel & tourism sector welcomes adoption of “EU Digital COVID Certificate” regulation and urges swift implementation

The European Tourism Manifesto alliance of more than 60 travel and tourism organisations warmly welcomes the adoption of the “EU Digital COVID Certificate” Regulation. The Alliance calls on Member States to ensure swift implementation before July to support the restart of the sector in time for the vital summer season, and to restore freedom of movement within the EU and Schengen Area.

Less than three months after the publication of the Commission’s proposal 1 , the European Parliament’s LIBE committee and the Council have approved the Regulation on “EU Digital COVID Certificate”. The Alliance recognises this is both positive and necessary to restore freedom of movement: a fundamental principle and one of Europe’s greatest achievements. This tool will greatly facilitate cross-border travel, also allowing Europeans to reconnect with families and friends and do business in person after months of lockdowns and restrictions.

As a common EU instrument, the “Digital COVID Certificate” (DCC) will provide convenient proof that the holder has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from the virus, or received a negative test result.

Europe’s airspace users expected to cover up to €5.4 bn in lost ANSP revenues through higher ATC charges beginning in 2023

Revised regulation will see airspace users pay higher air traffic control (ATC) charges as a result of weaker performance targets approved by Member States for air navigation services.

 

Airspace users repeatedly urged States to use COVID-19 EU Recovery Funds to close revenue gaps – not make airspace users and their passengers foot the bill. 

 

Updated regulation will siphon money away from airspace users’ planned decarbonisation ambitions.

Member States yesterday approved a revised regulation updating the EU-wide performance targets for air navigation service providers (ANSPs). Previous targets set were based off of 2019 traffic levels, which have subsequently plunged by more than 60% last year1 due to the COVID-19 crisis, government-imposed travel restrictions and the closure of EU borders. This has resulted in a €5.4 billion revenue shortfall for Europe’s ANSPs, who failed to react to the drop in traffic by reducing their expenditures accordingly. Across the wider aviation supply chain — and even beyond, the decision taken by Member States is unique. No other regulation, airport charges scheme or normal business contracting mechanism foresees airspace users shouldering previous losses from their suppliers, especially not in extraordinary times like the COVID-19 crisis, which is clearly a force majeure event.

During tense negotiations over the last six months, Member States have shown a complete unwillingness to follow the European Commission’s recommendations to take the long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis on airspace users into account when setting updated performance targets for ATM services. Current forecasts indicate a recovery for EU airlines is not likely until 2024 at the earliest.

Travel & tourism stakeholders’ position on Digital Green Certificate Trilogues & Council Recommendation on travel coordination

In its latest Communication updating the New Industrial Strategy (05.05.2021), the European Commission recognised that tourism was “hardest hit” by the COVID-19 crisis and that mobility “would face a slower and more uneven recovery”. It is time to support the travel and tourism ecosystem, which is vital for the broader restart of the European economy.

As travel and tourism associations, we welcome the proposal on a digital green certificate (DGC) to restore EU freedom of movement. We also see it as a useful tool to facilitate international mobility for leisure and other purposes, whilst containing the spread of COVID-19.

However, we believe that beyond ensuring that the certificate is genuine and valid, the systems in place should allow checks against the travel requirements at destination. This would facilitate the full digital integration of the certificates, therefore reducing the average time needed to check a passenger’s documentation at the gate/terminal/station (currently up to 2 min in aviation). Failure to do so would result in significant capacity issues, compromising the efficient flow of passengers – at airports in particular – and potentially resulting in additional health safety risk. Providing this information would also help passengers navigate the requirements ahead of their journey.

Airlines 4 Europe issue a roadmap to restore air travel for summer 2021.

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic and faced with new variants and a third wave in most of Europe, we continue to be faced with diverging national requirements, often introduced at very short notice. As European associations representing the aviation sector,1 we call for a truly coordinated approach among European Member States, providing transparency and predictability for citizens and businesses 2.

European airlines and the wider aviation sector, as well as travellers need to understand the rules that will be in place to have the necessary confidence to plan and book their summer holidays. Recent polling 3 showed that 54% of Europeans aim to take a trip before the end of July 2021, revealing the strong pent-up demand for mobility. Among this group, 41% wish to travel to another European country, underlining the benefit of a common EU approach.

The ongoing rollout of vaccination and increasing levels of protection among the population should be reflected in a common approach and progressive removal of national travel restrictions. Similarly, the proposed Digital Green Certificate will contribute to restore freedom of movement.

Preparing for summer 2021 - An EU roadmap to restore air travel

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic and faced with new variants and a third wave in most of Europe, we continue to be faced with diverging national requirements, often introduced at very short notice. As European associations representing the aviation sector,1 we call for a truly coordinated approach among European Member States, providing transparency and predictability for citizens and businesses 2.

European airlines and the wider aviation sector, as well as travellers need to understand the rules that will be in place to have the necessary confidence to plan and book their summer holidays. Recent polling 3 showed that 54% of Europeans aim to take a trip before the end of July 2021, revealing the strong pent-up demand for mobility. Among this group, 41% wish to travel to another European country, underlining the benefit of a common EU approach.

The ongoing rollout of vaccination and increasing levels of protection among the population should be reflected in a common approach and progressive removal of national travel restrictions. Similarly, the proposed Digital Green Certificate will contribute to restore freedom of movement.

A4E Welcomes European Parliament Decision to Fast-track Digital Green Certificates Proposal via Urgent Procedure

    Positive vote will facilitate operational use of the certificates by June.

    A4E airlines working with regulators on technical specifications for the certificates.

    A4E CEOs set out common framework needed for a summer restart.

A4E welcomed today’s decision by the European Parliament to fast-track the European Commission’s Digital Green Certificates proposal using an Urgent Procedure. A positive decision by the European Council later today would set in motion a vote on the certificates by the end of April, facilitating the European Commission’s plan to have the certificates operational by June.

A4E airlines are working closely with national governments and the European Commission to provide input on the technical specifications needed to make the digital certificates — or private apps which would use them – inter-operable by June. Several private solutions are currently being trialled by A4E airlines, including the AOK app, IATA Travel Pass, Verifly and others. These solutions will be key in enabling a scaling up of air travel going forward, gathering feedback both from the users as well as the technical providers, relevant authorities and airport staff before rolling them out on a wider level.

It is imperative that the EU ensures coordination and links the Digital Green Certificates to other digital solutions in development elsewhere. The ICAO Council’s recent approval of requirements for globally accepted COVID-19 test certificates1, including the technology framework for secure digital versions — and the future incorporation of vaccination certificates provides a global framework for further action, in line with WHO standards.

The latest position paper from Airlines 4 Europe

COVID-19 vaccination and the restoration of air travel

Overview of our position

The fight against COVID-19 is a key priority requiring strong health measures. However, A4E airlines believe that with a clear and harmonised EU testing protocol, air travel can remain safe. This requires true European coordination between Members States and harmonised measures in order to create clarity and predictability for passengers. We continue to advocate against the blanket use of quarantines, as these are both impossible to enforce and disproportionate. We detail below how vaccination certificates could provide an additional tool in supporting the restart of air travel.

Introduction

One year into the COVID-19 global pandemic and faced with new variants, we understand that strong measures need to be taken in order to fight this unprecedented health challenge. However, we ask Member States to agree on a common approach to restore air travel as soon as it is safely possible to do so in 2021, solidifying the prospects provided by the vaccination programmes that have been launched.

Europe’s Air Cargo Carriers Pivotal in COVID-19 Fight says Airlines 4 Europe

Europe’s Air Cargo Carriers Pivotal in COVID-19 Fight

Over 20 A4E airlines are currently involved in the most important shipment of our generation – the COVID-19 vaccine. Europe’s air cargo carriers have proven essential in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, transporting over 107,000 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) last year — the equivalent of 1,000 fully-loaded Boeing 777 freighters. This includes more than 5 billion protective masks and other protective equipment as well as COVID-19 tests and medical supplies. At least a dozen A4E carriers have converted grounded passenger planes into cargo-only operations (so-called “preighter” aircraft) to keep up with the rising demand, thus ensuring the continuity of global value chains and the free flow of goods across borders – supporting the survival of European businesses.

Airlines 4 Europe cargo roundtable meeting video

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Air Cargo in 2021: Supporting the COVID-19 Crisis and Key Policy Challenges

Air cargo has proven essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has ensured the continuity of global value chains — supporting the survival of European businesses. It has also played a pivotal role in the transport of essential goods ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) to medicines, medical equipment, and vaccines.

The European Commission (EC) launched several important initiatives since the outbreak of the pandemic to ensure that air cargo could continue to fulfil its vital role for European citizens and businesses. First and foremost, it introduced “Green Lanes” to streamline cross-border cargo transport, ease the administrative and logistical burden on cargo operators and ensure the effective and continued free movement of goods. The EC also issued airfreight-specific measures. These include recommendations to Member States to grant temporary traffic rights for additional cargo operations from outside the EU; removing night curfews and/or slot restrictions at airports for essential air cargo operations; enabling the use of passenger aircraft for cargo-only operations (so-called “preighters”) and exempting cargo pilots and crew from travel restrictions.