Sven Rieve, Sustainability manager, Air bp
Picture credit: Air bp
Part of the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ package to meet the emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, the RefuelEU Aviation initiative was approved in October 2023.
It mandates that from 2025 onwards, a proportion of the fuel supplied at EU airports must be sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Starting with a 2% share of SAF from 2025, this proportion is set to gradually increase to 70% by 2050. From 1 January 2025, aviation fuel suppliers including Air bp, are required to ensure that their supply of aviation fuel at “in-scope” Union airports contains a minimum of 2% SAF.
More than 95% of air transport departing from EU airports will be covered by the RefuelEU regulation. Its successful implementation requires the collaboration of all parties in the supply chain, including aviation fuel suppliers such as Air bp, EU airports and airlines.
Who does it affect?
ReFuelEU affects “in-scope” aircraft operators and owners operating within the EU and refuelling at “in-scope” Union airports, regardless of where they originate from.
How do you know if you are an in-scope?
An “in-scope” customer is defined as an aircraft operator or owner that has flown at least 500 commercial passenger air transport flights, or 52 commercial all-cargo air transport flights departing from Union airports in the previous reporting period. For example, in-scope customers for the reporting period 2024 will be identified based on 2023 data.
What is a Union airport?
A Union airport is defined by the European Parliament and of the Council, as an airport where passenger traffic was higher than 800,000 passengers or where the freight traffic was higher than 100,000 tonnes in the previous reporting period, and that is not situated in an outermost region.
How will business and general aviation customers be affected?
- If you meet the criteria as an “in-scope” customer, then you will be charged the mandate compliance fee, regardless of the size of aircraft or where you originate from.
- If you are a private flyer, or an airline/operator flying less than 500 flights or fewer than 52 all cargo flights from a Union airport (in one calendar year) then you are NOT in-scope and therefore will not be charged the mandate compliance fee.
- If you are not in-scope, you need to ensure that you don’t become in-scope during the relevant reporting period, as just one additional flight could make you in-scope.
- It is the responsibility of each aircraft operator/owner to independently assess whether they are “in-scope” of the regulation and to take the appropriate action.
Why is ReFuelEU important?
It is widely acknowledged that SAF is key to helping aviation to decarbonise. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the EU is the first region in the world to establish a regulatory framework that will help the production of SAF and the delivery of SAF to airlines. It will therefore create a market that will increase SAF volumes.
Air bp is working closely with its customers and has set up a task force to support the implementation of the mandates. They have held several webinars, for customers to share the actions they need to take.
For more information visit: https://www.bp.com/
