ASD Civil Aviation Director quoted in article on EU's SAF policy

An article by Cathy Buyck in Aviation International News this week quoted ASD Civil Aviation Director, Vincent De Vroey extensively as it explored the significant challenges airlines face responding to the European Union's ReFuelEU policy, part of the broader European Green Deal. 

The EU is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through the Fit for 55 package, which encompasses various sectors, including aerospace. Central to this initiative is the ReFuelEU policy, mandating the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Starting next year, airlines must ensure at least 2% of their fuel is SAF, increasing to 70% by 2050. Specific quotas for synthetic low-carbon fuels, such as e-fuels, are also mandated. This regulation spans the entire European Economic Area, imposing uniform SAF requirements across the region.

The article reports on how airlines are facing significant challenges due to this mandate. Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith is quoted on the competitive disadvantage posed by the EU's stringent regulations compared to regions with fewer restrictions. Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr is also quoted in the article, warning that EU airlines might lose market share to non-EU carriers benefiting from less stringent regulations.

Vincent De Vroey, ASD's Civil Aviation Director, is quoted:

“We need to lower the price [of SAF] and increase the production, and tax credits and incentives will help achieve that. But at the same time, we also need to guarantee that everybody will use it. That’s why we need the mandates that the ReFuelEU provides.” 

The article notes that the EU has acknowledged potential competitive distortions and plans to review the policy's impact in 2027. Meanwhile, the inclusion of SAF in the EU's Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and financial incentives like ETS allowances are seen as steps in the right direction.

Vincent De Vroey is quoted again:

“In other words, we have the stick and we need to complement it with the carrots. This is why we welcome the inclusion of SAF on the single list of net zero technologies in the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) as a first step into the right direction." The allowances earmarked for the use of SAF on ETS-eligible flights between 2024 and 2030 are “an example of what we would call smart regulation", rewarding airlines to use SAF beyond the regulatory obligation level.

“The broader picture obviously is carbon neutral aviation; it's not only about SAF, it's also about ATM and about technology... We need to continue doing research on new kind of technologies, be it hydrogen or hybrid electric, but also ultra-efficient engines and 100 percent SAF capable NextGen aircraft.”