Brussels: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published its first annual report on the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, offering a detailed overview of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) uptake across the EU in 2024. The report assesses the market’s readiness to meet upcoming obligations under the regulation.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the implementation of ReFuelEU Aviation has already led to an increase in SAF production capacity within the EU. This trend indicates that the EU is on track to meet the mandatory SAF blending target of 6% by 2030. In 2024, nearly all SAF used was derived from biofuel sources, with 81% produced from used cooking oil and 17% from waste animal fats. This highlights that the development of synthetic fuels (eSAF) is still in its nascent stages within the EU.
The report also notes that the SAF market is concentrated, with 25 fuel suppliers providing SAF to 33 airports across 12 Member States. Notably, airports in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden accounted for 99% of the supply. In response, the European Commission is preparing a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to boost investments in renewable and low-carbon transport fuels, including SAF.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, remarked on the progress made by the EU in adopting sustainable aviation fuels. He emphasized that the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation is already facilitating increased SAF production and usage across the Member States. The focus now shifts to supporting the industry and Member States to ensure a smooth transition to cleaner aviation fuels.
Looking ahead, the next annual report will use data from 2025 to evaluate if the ReFuelEU’s first blending mandate-requiring at least 2% of total aviation fuel supplied at EU airports to be SAF-has been achieved. More information on the report’s key findings can be accessed through EASA’s press release.