Committed to ReFuelEU Aviation: EU Transport

The European Union (EU) Transport has backed the ReFuelEU Aviation reaffirming its commitment to create a credible pathway for scaling the production and availability of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) – including eSAF – in Europe.

“We would like to reaffirm the Commission’s position regarding ReFuelEU Aviation,” said the EU Transport in a statement.

However, the commission said that scaling SAF – including eSAF – would require investment across the aviation fuel value chain and careful planning to ensure sufficient supply at EU airports.

“Enforcement of EU legislation is what makes EU legislation work. In the case of RefuelEU Aviation, enforcement mechanisms – including penalties and obligations to supply missing quantities in subsequent years – are key design features of the Regulation. They are intended to ensure compliance, support the development of a robust SAF and eSAF market, and maintain regulatory stability and investor confidence,” the EU Transport said.

 “As reaffirmed in the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), the Commission remains fully committed to supporting the scale-up of SAF and eSAF production through EU funding and innovative instruments such as double-sided auctions.”

The commission said that, since launching the STIP, the industry has seen strong momentum.

Members of the eSAF Early Movers Coalition will launch a pilot auction for eSAF in 2026 with over €2bn in public funding, the EU Transport said.

Nearly 25 suppliers provided SAF to 33 EU airports across 12 Member States in 2024 while more than €100m in SAF support was made available to airlines under the EU ETS in 2025.

The large-scale uptake of SAF remains one of the most promising pathways to decarbonise aviation, strengthen Europe’s energy resilience, and support industrial competitiveness.