The Cockpit Association welcomes the European Council's recent decision regarding European emissions trading in aviation, but urges a closer look at the effects on competition, for example in the case of ReFuel EU.

Currently, the scope for intra-European flights (including the United Kingdom and Switzerland) is to be retained. A strong competition-distorting extension to departures to third countries was not approved. The Council of the EU has also agreed to gradually phase out the free allowances for the aviation sector from the past by 2027. In order to take account of climate neutrality and the higher costs of sustainable aviation fuels, there will be an allocation of 2024 million certificates for the years 2030 to 20. These should cushion part of the additional costs for the alternative fuels.

“Climate sustainability in line with competitiveness must be the guiding principle for air transport regulation. An affordable ramp-up of alternative fuels is the right way to keep air traffic in Europe and prevent carbon leakage. We have been exposed to distorted competition with airlines from the Gulf region for years. The announced compensations will not offset the additional costs and will increase the disadvantages for our domestic industry. The SAF certificate system should therefore be adjusted at least to the amounts prescribed as part of the ReFuel EU initiative. In our view, a larger number of SAF certificates that can be called up would create effective incentives to switch more and more quickly to alternative fuels," says VC spokesman Matthias Baier.

Now that the Council has agreed its positions on the proposals, negotiations will start with the European Parliament with the aim of reaching a final agreement.

"As employees in aviation, we stand by the efforts to make our industry climate-neutral in the future and will closely accompany the further negotiations. We urge the European institutions not to adopt any measures that only affect European air traffic. This would result in a shift in traffic, job losses and higher CO2 emissions," concludes Matthias Baier.