The joint call highlights the pressing challenges of affordable SAF deployment across Europe. Chief amongst them is that the current SAF market remains nascent – HEFA‑based fuels (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) are the only commercially available option today and face a substantial cost gap compared to conventional kerosene. At the same time, next‑generation SAF pathways – such as e‑SAF and advanced biofuels – continue to struggle with access to investment, in particular in reaching Final Investment Decisions (FID). In response, the industry has laid out a 10‑point action plan, designed to address early‑mover disadvantages and catalyse the scale‑up of SAF production and deployment. The plan lays out the key regulatory and financial measures needed to de‑risk investment, bridge the significant cost gap and incentivise innovation in fuel technologies critical to decarbonising air transport. This call to action was handed over today to Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, during the Implementation Dialogue he convened to specifically address the ramp up of renewable and low‑carbon transport fuel production. The initiative comes at a pivotal moment, as the European Commission prepares to unveil its Sustainable Transport Investment Plan in Q3 2025 – which is expected to finally provide the support needed to effectively accelerate and deploy SAF and related infrastructure. Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA, said: "Sustainable aviation fuels are a critical part of the aviation journey to net zero by 2050, yet they remain unevenly available across the network. Asymmetric access to SAF risks distorting public perception and reputational fairness between regions and operators. To build a truly competitive, inclusive and efficient SAF market, we need urgent policy action to make it available, remove cost barriers, ensure price transparency and introduce effective monitoring mechanisms. This is essential to scale up production, unlock investment and safeguard air connectivity for all parts of Europe." * Represented by A4E, ACI EUROPE, ASD, CANSO Europe, ERA
Tags: European aviation sector, Montserrat Barriga, ERA | 
