According to a new ERA study titled “Cutting emissions without cutting connections: How to make ReFuelEU work for all of Europe’s airlines,” the unequal access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is creating structural disadvantages for regional carriers and the destinations they serve.
The research highlights that SAF supply is concentrated at major hub airports, leaving smaller regional airports underserved. This imbalance exposes remote and peripheral regions to rising operational costs, compliance pressures, and reduced connectivity, undermining Europe’s commitment to balanced territorial development.
ERA’s member airlines reaffirm their full commitment to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, but caution that the current implementation of ReFuelEU risks penalising smaller operators.
Montserrat Barriga, Director General of ERA said: “Europe’s green transition cannot come at the cost of territorial regional cohesion. If ReFuelEU continues on its current path, Europe risks seeing airlines go bankrupt and losing vital air connectivity.”
Under the Destination 2050 roadmap, SAF is expected to contribute the largest share of aviation’s emissions reductions. The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation mandates fuel suppliers to blend increasing percentages of SAF – starting at 2% in 2025 and reaching 70% by 2050.
However, the ERA report warns that implementation is fragmented and inequitable, forcing airlines to redesign networks and threatening the viability of lifeline routes. The association identifies four key issues:
- Unfair access: SAF availability remains focused on large hubs, excluding many regional airports.
- Cost distortions: Opaque surcharges and bundled pricing disproportionately burden smaller carriers.
- Compliance traps: Inconsistent reporting requirements create additional complexity for regional operators.
- Operational risks: Article 5 (“anti-tankering rule”) introduces unintended safety and cost implications, without environmental benefit for smaller aircraft.
ERA is calling on EU policymakers to revise the ReFuelEU Regulation to ensure that SAF production and distribution are scaled up fairly across all regions. The association urges closer alignment with the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) to support equitable SAF access and protect Europe’s regional air services.
A more balanced implementation, ERA concludes, would accelerate SAF deployment, safeguard competition, deliver genuine emissions reductions, and uphold Europe’s essential regional air connectivity.
Tags: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Montserrat Barriga, ERA
