EU mandates Sustainable Aviation Fuel blends for airlines starting 2025
Greece and 26 other EU members will require all jet fuel supplied at European airports to contain Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. The schedule starts with a 2% SAF blend in 2025 and escalates to 70% by 2050, affecting airlines, fuel suppliers and travelers using EU airports.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Mandatory SAF blends for all jet fuel at EU airports
- Timing
- Blend percentages start at 2% in 2025 and rise to 70% by 2050
- Who is affected
- Airlines, fuel suppliers and passengers using EU airports
The details
- Announced by
- ReFuelEU Aviation regulation
- Previous rule
- Before the regulation, EU airports had no legal requirement to blend sustainable aviation fuel with conventional kerosene.
- New rule
- Fuel suppliers must ensure that jet fuel supplied at EU airports contains an escalating SAF share: 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030, 20% in 2035, 34% in 2040, 42% in 2045 and 70% in 2050.
Regulatory background
The European Union introduced the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation to align aviation with the bloc’s net‑zero target for 2050. The rule shifts the legal responsibility for SAF blending from airlines to fuel suppliers at major EU airports, creating a guaranteed market for clean jet fuel.
Blend percentage schedule
The regulation defines a step‑wise increase in the SAF share of jet fuel. The first milestone of 2% was already exceeded in 2025, reaching 2.8% (1.1 million tonnes). Subsequent targets are 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035, 34% by 2040, 42% by 2045 and 70% by 2050.
- 2025 – minimum 2% SAF blend (already at 2.8%)
- 2030 – minimum 6% SAF blend
- 2035 – minimum 20% SAF blend
- 2040 – minimum 34% SAF blend
- 2045 – minimum 42% SAF blend
- 2050 – minimum 70% SAF blend
Implementation requirements
Fuel suppliers must certify the SAF content of each batch delivered to EU airports and report compliance to national authorities. Airlines are required to uplift at least 90% of their fuel at the departure EU airport, limiting “tankering” of cheaper non‑EU fuel. Penalties apply for non‑compliance, and the EU Emissions Trading System will allocate allowances to offset the price premium of SAF.
- Suppliers certify SAF share for every delivery
- Airlines must source at least 90% of fuel at the EU departure airport
- Non‑compliance triggers financial penalties
- ETS allowances may be used to offset SAF price differences
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing bookings for flights departing from EU airports remain valid; the fuel blend change does not alter flight schedules.
- Travelers may see new eco‑labels on airline tickets showing the carbon intensity of each route.
Cost and documents
- Ticket prices could reflect higher fuel costs, but no new travel documents are required.
- Airlines may include SAF information in booking confirmations, but passenger paperwork stays unchanged.
What you need to do
- Passengers should check airline communications for any updates on eco‑labeling or fuel‑related service notices.
- Travel agents and tour operators need to be aware of the SAF schedule when advising clients about environmental impact.
Who this affects
-
Airlines operating flights to or from EU airports
The regulation obliges airlines to uplift at least 90% of required fuel at the EU departure airport.
What to do Airlines must adjust fueling strategies to comply with the uplift requirement.
-
Fuel suppliers serving EU airports
Suppliers are legally required to blend the stipulated SAF percentages into all jet fuel deliveries.
What to do Suppliers must certify blend ratios and report compliance to national authorities.
-
Passengers traveling through EU airports
The SAF mandate introduces eco‑labels and may affect ticket pricing, influencing traveler choices.
What to do Travelers can review airline eco‑labels to select lower‑carbon options.
Frequently asked questions
When does the EU sustainable aviation fuel mandate start?
The first mandatory blend level of 2% SAF takes effect in 2025, with higher targets set for later years up to 70% by 2050.
Which countries are part of the SAF mandate?
Greece and the 26 other member states of the European Union are bound by the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation.
Do travelers need new visas or documents because of the SAF rule?
No additional visas or travel documents are required; the rule only changes fuel composition and related reporting.
Will airline ticket prices increase because of the SAF requirement?
Airlines may pass higher fuel costs to passengers, but the regulation does not set specific price changes.
What is the “anti‑tankering” rule linked to the SAF mandate?
Airlines must uplift at least 90% of their required fuel at the EU airport they depart from, preventing the practice of loading extra cheap fuel elsewhere.
