By Jack Lee, Jr Writer, Green Mobility Magazine
The Air France–KLM group became the first airline to adopt the EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL) after signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 11th July. The Label aims to provide consumers with flight emission data using a standardised system, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
The European Commission adopted the Flight Emissions Label (FEL) under Regulation 2024/3170 on 18 December 2024. The scheme establishes a clear and reliable methodology for calculating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, enabling consumers to compare flights with greater certainty and methodological accuracy. For participating airlines, a dedicated logo will be displayed alongside the emissions data of their flights when passengers book online, indicating that the data has been certified by the FEL Committee.
‘The Flight Emissions Label will transform air travel by providing passengers with transparent and reliable information about flight emissions,’ said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. ‘It will put an end to misleading environmental claims about flight emissions and foster a level playing field, enabling fair competition and driving sustainability across the transport and tourism industries.’
The adoption of the FEL reflects the EU’s determination to improve aviation sustainability and move one step closer to the ambitious goal of ‘Net-zero aviation’ by 2050. It also addresses the increasing demand for informed consumer choice and championing sustainable practices from consumers. Initial surveys conducted by the EASA in 2019 and 2020 revealed that 80% of passengers were concerned about the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their flights. Another recent survey similarly reflects EU consumers’ increasing concern about product sustainability, with 73% of respondents considering environmental impacts as a ‘very important’ factor when purchasing products.
Before the scheme, there was no clear metric available for conducting accurate comparisons of flight emissions. Last November, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned a Google advertisement by Wizz Air after the company failed to provide clear criteria and the necessary details to verify its claim as ‘one of the greenest choices’. In 2020, the UK Advertising Standards Authority ordered Ryanair to withdraw its advertisements after ruling its claims of ‘low CO2 emissions’ and ‘lowest emissions airline’ to be ‘misleading’.
The KLM group was also found to have misled consumers in its previous campaigns, as ruled by an Amsterdam court in March 2024. The case, brought by campaign group Fossielvrij, concerned the vague environmental statements on KLM’s website. Claims such as ‘moving towards a more sustainable future’ were found to be misleading due to their lack of explanation of how such environmental ambitions would be achieved by flying with the airline. The group’s decision to join the FEL can be seen as a move to rebuild trust with the airline’s sustainable initiative.
While many view the FEL as a welcoming step towards environmentally responsible air travel, groups such as Transport and Environment have raised concerns over the effectiveness of the act, labelling it as a ‘missed opportunity’.
In a response statement to the public consultation of the FEL, T&E states that the Label continues to conceal information related to the non-CO2 effects of flights. It also mentions other flaws, such as CO2 efficiency per kilometre not being a relevant indicator to accurately assess the environmental impact of a flight. Meanwhile, the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) urges the mandatory adoption of the label for all operators, to ensure that airlines disclose emissions data even when it places them in an unfavourable position, so that outcomes are not ‘undermined’.
Still, the FEL is likely to increase public scrutiny of airline sustainability. Yvonne Moya, Global Procurement Director, Strategy, Planning & CSR for Randstad, a global talent company, is positive about the change. ‘FEL will likely improve transparency, helping companies committed to net-zero goals manage their Scope 3.6 [business travel] emissions more reliably,’ she says. ‘However, sourcing consistent emissions data across platforms may remain challenging until a critical mass of airlines voluntarily adopt FEL or a mandatory framework is introduced.’
‘This initiative is a critical component of our broader strategy to lead the decarbonisation of our industry,’ says Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM. ‘We will continue to leverage every available tool to reduce our environmental footprint, and we believe that common, transparent standards are essential to support our collective journey towards sustainable aviation.’
