Setting the Record Straight on SAF Policy Direction
The European Commission has delivered a clear message to the aviation industry: the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) mandate under ReFuelEU is not just a temporary regulatory push but a long-term commitment. As concerns swirl among some of Europe’s largest airlines, the Commission’s aviation chief has reiterated that the policy is here to stay. This stance signals a shift not only in legislative certainty but in the broader direction of European aviation strategy.
From Policy to Purpose: The Pillars of ReFuelEU
Built upon stability, predictability, and clarity, ReFuelEU aims to revolutionize how aviation energy is sourced and produced. The roadmap stretches 25 years into the future, providing the legal framework needed to scale SAF and e-SAF (electro-fuels) across the continent. This is not merely regulation for compliance—it is policy as a platform for transformation.
By anchoring its SAF initiative within a stable legislative environment, the European Commission has taken a pioneering step. This framework encourages investment, guides innovation, and ensures long-term visibility for SAF producers and airlines alike.
Why Resistance Is Not Resilience
Some industry voices, such as Lufthansa, have voiced concerns about potential carbon leakage and competitive disadvantages stemming from unilateral mandates. However, regulatory hesitation or calls for policy reassessment could prove counterproductive.
Postponing SAF implementation risks widening the current supply-demand gap, as highlighted by recent analyses. A Boston Consulting Group survey has already identified a significant preparedness lag, with only 14 percent of aviation stakeholders feeling equipped to meet their 2030 SAF targets despite widespread confidence in achieving them.
Embracing the Strategic Role of SAF
The dialogue must now evolve beyond decarbonisation. SAF presents a strategic opportunity for Europe to enhance its energy autonomy, diversify energy sources, and stimulate a high-tech green economy. As other nations race to scale SAF capabilities, Europe has a chance to lead through coordinated ambition and investment de-risking.
Programs like the upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) aim to tackle market failures in e-SAF production by converting first-mover disadvantages into advantages. These initiatives will introduce robust financial frameworks to facilitate offtakes, reduce investment risks, and galvanize early-stage infrastructure.
Unity Over Uniformity
Aviation is a global sector. National or regional SAF targets, while essential, must align with broader international frameworks like ICAO’s climate initiatives. Ensuring a level playing field requires harmonised action, not isolated ambition. The Commission’s active engagement with ICAO reflects this necessity for a multilateral strategy.
Beyond Blending: From Targets to Tools
While airlines have highlighted supply shortfalls in biofuels and synthetic fuels, it is equally important to focus on demand aggregation, trading standards, and infrastructure readiness. The current momentum should be used to scale SAF projects and establish mechanisms—such as industry-led book-and-claim systems—to enhance transparency and traceability, even as the Commission remains cautious about implementing government-run systems prematurely.
Conclusion: Turning Commitment Into Competitive Edge
The SAF mandate is not a regulatory burden—it is a cornerstone of aviation’s future resilience. The key insight is not just that the policy will persist, but that its permanence creates space for meaningful investment, innovation, and collaboration. Instead of resisting the tide, stakeholders must align their strategies with this new reality.
ReFuelEU is not just about cleaner skies—it is about securing Europe’s competitive place in the global green economy. Those who act boldly today will not only navigate the transition but shape it.