The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) has issued a report expressing concerns over the implementation of the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. The study highlights that FAA supply is predominantly available at major airports, leaving smaller, regional airports without sufficient access—potentially threatening air connectivity for remote communities across Europe.
This regulation, aimed at increasing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), mandates blending increments starting at 2% in 2025 and reaching 70% by 2050. However, ERA members report that early efforts to enforce these mandates have been uneven, causing airlines to adjust their networks and potentially jeopardizing some routes.
Montserrat Barriga, Director General of ERA, emphasized that Europe's green transition must not compromise regional cohesion. She warned that if the current implementation persists, airlines might face bankruptcy, which would further diminish vital air links in remote regions.
The study recommends that EU policymakers urgently revise ReFuelEU regulations to ensure equitable SAF distribution and deployment. Aligning the regulation with broader transport funding strategies could accelerate emissions reductions while maintaining competition and air service in less developed regions.
ERA also identified specific issues including unfair access to SAF credits, inflated costs due to opaque surcharges, complex regulatory reporting, and operational risks associated with safety rules such as the anti-tankering regulation. Addressing these challenges is crucial to achieving Europe's climate and connectivity goals without disproportionately disadvantaging regional aviation.
