The ReFuelEU regulation is part of the FitFor55 package. This is a set of proposals from the European Union (EU) and refers to the EU's goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions with at least 55% by 2030. The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation aims to promote the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management started the implementation in the Netherlands last spring, and intends to make the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) the competent authority for regulating the blending and reporting obligation for aviation fuel suppliers and the refueling and reporting obligation for aircraft operators.
Important Documents:
- Letter IenW on obligations under ReFuelEU aviation – 21.12.2023
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 – 18.10.2023
Blending obligation ReFuelEU Aviation
Fuel suppliers are required to blend an increasing percentage of their aviation fuel deliveries with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The required blending percentage will increase yearly, starting with 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030 to 70% in 2050. A sub-obligation is that a percentage of the fuel must contain synthetic aviation fuels (renewable fuels of non-biological origin). The minimum blend of synthetic aviation fuels also increases yearly, reaching 35% in 2050. Until 2034, it is allowed to comply by means of average blending in the EU, from 2034 on, the obligation is per union airport. Aviation fuel suppliers must report annually before 15 February on the fuel volumes supplied and the (sustainability) characteristics of the SAF in the Union database. The first reporting deadline is February 15, 2025, over calendar year 2024.
Refueling obligation ReFuelEU Aviation
Aircraft operators are required to uplift at least 90% of the yearly aviation fuel required for departing flights per union airport as defined by the ReFuelEU regulation. This is an anti-tankering measure aimed to avoid extra emissions from flying with extra fuel adding extra weight. Aircraft operators must report annually on the required and actual fuel volumes uplifted. The reporting deadline for aircraft operators is the same as the EU ETS, annually before 31 March. The first reporting deadline is March 31, 2025, covering calendar year 2024. From calendar year 2025, enforcement will take place if an aircraft operator is non-compliant with the refueling obligation. The required reporting must also include the sustainability characteristics of purchased SAF with a statement that there is no double claim in multiple schemes (EU ETS, CH ETS, CORSIA etc.)