The aviation sector in Europe is at a critical juncture where sustainability has ceased to be a marketing option and has become a mandatory financial reality. From 2025, airlines operating at European airports will have to comply with the ReFuelEU regulations, which require them to at least 2% of the fuel used is from a sustainable source, a figure that will gradually increase until it reaches 70% by mid-century.
This transition to clean skies is not without its turbulence, as the sector faces a difficult economic gap to overcome without impacting travelers' wallets. Sustainable fuel, technically known as SAF (Sustainable Air Fuel), is presented as the most immediate solution since it can be used in current engines, but its Actual availability in the market is still very limited. compared to the massive demand that is expected in the coming years.
The economic crossroads of green kerosene
One of the biggest headaches for airlines is the price of this biofuel, which can currently be between three and six times more expensive than conventional fuel derived from petroleum. This additional operating cost particularly jeopardizes the low-cost airline model, which relies on very tight margins, and opens a debate about who should foot the bill for decarbonization, given that global production will barely cover a small fraction of what is needed by 2026.
Given this situation, the industry has begun to mobilize, demanding that the authorities provide incentives along with the stick. Organizations such as the Airline Association (ALA) in Spain insist that It is essential to implement incentives for consumption similar to those that exist in other sectors, so that this cost differential can be reduced and national production encouraged, preventing aviation from losing competitiveness against other less regulated markets.
The challenge is not only the price, but also the scalability of the raw materials needed to manufacture SAF, which currently relies primarily on used oils and animal fats. For aviation to achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2050, it will be necessary to promote more advanced technologies such as e-SAF, a synthetic fuel produced from green hydrogen and captured CO2, although its industrial development is still in a very early stage and requires multimillion-dollar investments.
Strategies and alliances in Spanish territory
In Spain, some companies have already taken the lead to avoid being caught out by the supply shortages predicted in technical reports. A clear example is Volotea, which has closed strategic agreements with energy giants such as Repsol, Moeve and TotalEnergies to guarantee millions of liters of sustainable fuel over the next few years, demonstrating that the commitment to reducing the carbon footprint is already a strategic priority in its medium-term business plans.
For their part, large groups like IAG, Iberia's parent company, have also made significant investments to secure access to this resource, although many of these purchases were initially focused outside of Spain due to the greater maturity of those industries. This situation has led the Official College of Aeronautical Engineers to emphasize the importance of Improve operational efficiency and air navigation as necessary complements to the use of clean fuels to realistically achieve climate goals.
Passenger support seems guaranteed, at least on paper, as the most recent surveys indicate that the vast majority of travelers consider it essential for the industry to continue reducing its emissions. However, there is a logical resistance to assuming excessive cost overruns in the tickets, which forces airlines to balance their environmental responsibility with the need to maintain attractive prices so that flying does not become a luxury for a few again.
The roadmap towards a decarbonized aviation
The energy transition of European skies is an irreversible process, marked by a legislative timetable that allows no delays and will require a complete transformation of fuel logistics at airports. The SAF is consolidating as the main lever for immediately reducing emissions, allowing for a reduction of up to 80% of CO2 emissions throughout its life cycle, making it the most valuable asset for airlines seeking to comply with the European green demo.
Despite concerns about the current production rate, which will barely reach 0,8% of global consumption in 2026, the industry continues to explore alternatives to democratize the use of these clean molecules. The creation of mechanisms such as the book-and-claim system This will allow environmental benefits to be traded flexibly, making it easier for companies that do not have direct access to production plants to participate in financing this technological change globally.
Aviation thus faces a decade where technology and regulation must go hand in hand to make green kerosene the standard, not the exception. The key to success will lie in Strengthen energy sovereignty and security of supply through close collaboration between governments and private companies, ensuring that the deployment of sustainable fuel is able to meet the needs of a sector that, far from slowing down, seeks to continue connecting the world in a way that is much more respectful of the environment and international climate commitments.
