Air France has announced that all its flights will include a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contribution from January 2025, coinciding with the implementation of the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. The move is part of the airline’s commitment to reduce its climate impact as global air traffic returns to pre-Covid levels and new regulations take effect.
The ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, aims to decrease aviation CO2 emissions by promoting the increased use of SAF. The regulation will require aviation fuel suppliers to gradually increase the share of SAF blended into conventional aviation fuel supplied at EU airports, starting at 2% in 2025 and rising to 70% by 2050.
Air France’s SAF contribution, currently applied to flights departing from France, will be extended to all flights from 2025. The amount will vary depending on the cabin class and distance travelled, ranging from €2 to €10 in Economy and €3 to €30 in Business for round-trip flights. The airline has stated that every euro contributed will be fully invested in SAF.
The ReFuelEU Aviation law includes several key provisions to ensure its effectiveness. It will require aircraft operators to uplift at least 90% of their yearly aviation fuel needs at each EU airport to deter ‘tankering’ practices. A wide range of fuels will qualify as eligible SAFs, and member states will designate authorities to enforce the regulation and impose fines for non-compliance.
Air France’s initiative aligns with the EU’s climate targets, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 60% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The increased uptake of SAF is also expected to help reduce air pollutants such as CO, NOx, and PM, improving air quality around airports.
While the announcement underscores Air France’s sustainability obligations, it remains to be seen how passengers and NGOs will respond to the additional costs. The success of this initiative will also depend on the industry’s ability to scale up SAF production and reduce its costs.
The regulation also includes provisions for data collection and reporting responsibilities for fuel suppliers and aircraft operators. This will enable the monitoring of the regulation’s effects on the competitiveness of EU operators and platforms.
