European Parliament approves new rules for sustainable aviation fuels
The European Parliament this week endorsed a plan to set mandatory shares of sustainable fuels for aircraft. By 2025 the industry must begin loading at least 2 percent of sustainable fuels, marking a pivotal move toward greener aviation across the European Union. The broader goal envisions a 70 percent share by 2050, dramatically reshaping fuel choices for airlines and airports across the bloc.
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the twenty-seven member states reached a consensus last spring. While the European Commission had proposed a 65 percent target at the outset, the final agreement stopped short of the 85 percent favored by Parliament members during talks, reflecting the delicate balance among stakeholders.
The regulation follows a gradual, consensus-based path. It starts at 2 percent in 2025 and increases at five-year intervals. The trajectory targets 6 percent in 2030, 20 percent in 2035, 34 percent in 2040, and 42 percent in 2045, culminating in the 70 percent objective in 2050. The deal, pending formal approval by the member states, was endorsed with broad support: 518 votes in favor, 97 against, and 8 abstentions, with formal implementation beginning on January 1, 2024 and certain provisions deferred to January 1, 2025.
In defining sustainable fuels for aviation, the package includes both synthetic fuels and biofuels produced from agricultural or forestry waste, algae, organic waste, or used cooking oil. For synthetic fuels like e-kerosene, specific blend targets are set: 1.2 percent in 2030, 2 percent in 2032, 5 percent in 2035, and a ramp to 35 percent by 2050. The agreement also contemplates the inclusion of recycled fuels sourced from gases released during waste processing or from plastic waste, as proposed by the parliament’s members.
Foods crops and feed crops as well as fuels derived from palm oil and soybeans are excluded from eligibility, as they do not meet the EU sustainability criteria. The new law forms part of a broader climate package that includes long-term environmental targets for the coming decades. A new green label for aviation after 2025 will enable airlines to credit their carbon footprint per passenger and CO2 emissions per kilometer. This framework will help travelers compare the environmental performance of different flight options.
As one European Parliament rapporteur noted, this represents a major step toward decarbonizing aviation. The member highlighted the need for national governments to support the sector and ensure the profitable expansion of sustainable aviation fuels across Europe. The message was clear: a robust public response is essential to accelerate SAF adoption while sustaining industry growth across the continent.
Spanish airlines express satisfaction
The Airlines Association welcomed the new regulation and used the moment to call on the Spanish government to boost incentives for using sustainable aviation fuels. The association’s president stressed a decisive commitment from the government, noting that other countries such as France and the United States have already offered substantial aid to accelerate SAF deployment. This support is viewed as critical to unlocking a broader national opportunity that extends beyond the airline industry.
Repsol, described as a pioneer in sustainable fuel production, emphasized Spain’s key role in advancing cleaner mobility within the air sector. The company has signed several strategic agreements with partners including Iberia since 2021, enabling projects such as the first national and long-haul flights in Spain powered by waste-derived biofuels. In recent years, collaboration with the military and civil aviation has continued, including the Águila Patrol’s use of renewable fuel produced by Repsol during a national event. A 2023 cooperation agreement with Gestair and the Irish carrier Ryanair aims to provide access to up to 155,000 tons of SAF between 2025 and 2030.
This year, Repsol plans to open the first facility dedicated entirely to biofuel production. Advanced facilities in Cartagena have the capacity to produce up to 250,000 tonnes per year of advanced biofuels such as biodiesel, biojet, bionaphtha, and biopropane. These fuels are designed for use across aviation, shipping, trucking, and automotive sectors, underscoring Spain’s commitment to cleaner transport and energy transition across multiple industries.