Under the guise of climate protection, the EU Commission intends to gradually introduce the taxation of conventional kerosene. This is intended to encourage airlines to use alternative fuels or drive options.

Kerosene is not generally tax-free, but only on international flights. This goes back to an agreement from 1944. Unless this is updated, only fuel within the Union territory could be taxed. Vienna Airport fears that this could lead to fuel tourism.

“A single kerosene tax in Europe would lead to airlines refueling their aircraft at locations where there is no such tax. This fuel tourism would even increase the burden on the climate, but unfortunately it would not reduce CO2 emissions. But the competitive disadvantage for the European aviation locations and the passengers would be massive ”, says airport director Günther Ofner. “It makes much more sense and is associated with guaranteed CO2 savings to promote the large-scale market introduction of CO2-neutral alternative fuels through subsidies and admixture obligations. The technology to produce synthetic kerosene already exists. Flight-related taxes should be used earmarked as funding for research and development as well as the introduction of statutory admixture obligations. That would stimulate a far-reaching demand for alternative fuels and thus create a corresponding market and would be a predictable and secure path to CO2 reduction ”.

Easyjet sees developments positively

The low-cost airline Easyjet sees the “Fit to 55” project as positive. CEO Johan Lundgren explains: “Easyjet firmly believes that, in line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal, the aviation sector must achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. “We are working with our partners Airbus and Wright Electric to drive the development of zero-emission technologies - and we hope that our customers will be flying electric, hydrogen or hybrid aircraft by the mid to late 2030s. We believe these future technologies are the solution to decarbonise our industry while fueling innovation, connectivity and local job growth. In the meantime, we continue to operate our aircraft as efficiently as possible by offsetting the CO2 emissions from the fuel for all of our flights and operating one of the youngest and therefore most efficient fleets in Europe. Flying must be and remain affordable for everyone - not just for the wealthy. This means that all airlines must do their part to decarbonise, not just those flying within the EEA. The advantages of aviation are unparalleled - when it comes to connecting people, reuniting friends and family, giving people the opportunity to experience other cultures and also ensuring economic prosperity, especially after the global pandemic. "

AUA calls for launch pad for alternative fuel

Austrian Airlines is fundamentally positive about the efforts of the EU Commission, but demands that it set up a kind of launch pad for sustainable fuels. At the moment these are still very expensive and are therefore only used to a subordinate extent.

“We welcome the European efforts to improve climate protection, including when it comes to flying. However, the measures must not distort competition, otherwise the climate is not helped but the domestic economy is maximally damaged. The European institutions should not put any additional hurdles in the way of domestic aviation, but rather build the launch pad for the use of climate-friendly sustainable fuels, ”said AUA boss Alexis von Hoensbroech. "For the planned quota of sustainable fuels, however, a financing mechanism must be found that includes all providers equally and does not leave the burden on European wings alone," explains Austrian CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. “With the earmarking of environmental taxes, such as the income from the tightened emissions trading or from a kerosene tax, in favor of the promotion of sustainable fuels, one could, for example, compensate for the competitive disadvantage accordingly. It must not be the case that the airlines that do a lot for climate protection are disadvantaged compared to those that do little or nothing! "