To ensure the supply of minimum quotas of SAF to the aviation market at EU level, the European Commission has evaluated potential improvements to the SAF flexibility mechanism to support the gradual scale-up of SAF production and allows fuel suppliers to average SAF blending obligations across EU airports until 2035 through the ReFuelEU Aviation SAF flexibility mechanism.

This mechanism provides that aviation fuel suppliers may supply aviation fuels containing higher shares of SAF in certain Union airports (provided those are compliant with ASTM 7566 blending requirements) to compensate for aviation fuels containing zero or lower shares of SAF in other Union airports – provided they supply the minimum total quantity of required SAF blend at the EU level. This flexibility is an option and not an obligation for aviation fuel suppliers and it intended to provide the SAF industry, and especially aviation fuel suppliers, with sufficient time to scale up production and supply capacity, while also allowing aviation fuel suppliers to meet their obligations in a cost-effective manner, without reducing the overall ambition of ReFuelEU Aviation. The level of flexibility granted to aviation fuel suppliers under the SAF flexibility mechanism also depends on the interpretation of the definition of “fuel supplier” whereby each Member State is responsible for identifying the aviation fuel suppliers for which it is responsible for compliance with the requirements of the RED and ReFuelEU Aviation.

The report also highlights key areas for improvement, including enhancing traceability and transparency in SAF transactions, reducing administrative burdens and simplifying reporting obligations for fuel suppliers and airlines.

Having among its objectives the production of aviation biofuel, REFOLUTION is one of the projects directly influenced by these regulations and their updates, and remains committed to aligning with evolving legislative frameworks to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.