Willie Walsh. Source: IATA
IATA is concerned that airlines will be left footing the bill if the sector cannot meet unrealistic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates.
Speaking at the IATA World Cargo Symposium, the airline association’s director general Willie Walsh said that sustainability was a “must” for aviation but added that targets being set were not always achievable.
He highlighted the European Union’s RefuelEU target that from 2025, fuel uplift from member state airports must contain at least 2% SAF. The percentage will increase gradually, reaching 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.
The RefuelEU initiative is part of the wider European Commission ‘Fit for 55’ package to meet the emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
He said the pace of SAF adoption is slower than expected, but this was not the fault of airlines.
"We are concerned about the pace at which we are progressing particularly in the area of SAF," Walsh said.
"We are particularly concerned about the way some governments and regions are pushing this with mandates that are unrealistic.
"I don’t mind ambitions targets but what I do mind is if they aren’t met. The idea that the targets were set to drive the production of SAF is a positive, but the idea that it incentivises airlines because we are going to penalised financially if we don’t achieve them is wrong.
"There is no environmental benefit to penalising airlines for the failure of other players in the supply chain."
Walsh said that aircraft manufacturers and fuel companies were not doing enough to help meet the targets and were even "walking backwards" in terms of their commitments.
He added that IATA was also concerned about the EU's focus on e-SAF because it is "extremely expensive".
"There is a real risk at the moment that we are off track in terms of the pathway to zero2050 (aviation's target to have net zero emissions) and the concern is it will be seized upon by people that like to penalise our industry and we will face more and more penalties and taxes because of the failure of other players to commit to playing their part.
"It is very challenging and at the moment that challenge is getting greater by the day rather than becoming more achievable."
