Report

ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report 2025 (EASA)

– 31 October 2025

Description

EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has just published its first ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report, taking stock of how ready the aviation sector is for the new SAF mandate. Here’s the quick take:

The context: who needs to do what?

  • Under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation (EU 2023/2405):
    Aviation fuel suppliers must start blending a minimum share of SAF into jet fuel sold at Union airports – beginning at 2% in 2025 and rising steadily to 70% by 2050.
  • Aircraft operators must uplift at least 90% of their required fuel at Union airports (to prevent tankering) and report their SAF purchases and claims under schemes like the EU ETS.
  • Union airports management bodies must facilitate access to SAF.

2024 served as a “dry run” before these obligations kick in fully.

 

The highs

  • 17 EU countries now have active or planned SAF production sites (up from 12 in 2023).
  • SAF delivered in 2024 achieved 91% lower emissions than fossil jet fuel, avoiding 714,000 tonnes of CO₂.
  • Reporting and data systems are improving – a strong start for compliance tracking.

 

The lows

  • Only 0.6% of jet fuel supplied in 2024 was SAF – far below the 2025 target.
    Most SAF came from cooking oil (81%) and animal fats (17%) showing limited feedstock diversity.
  • No synthetic fuel projects have reached final investment decision yet – a risk for future targets.

 

What it means

  • The EU aviation sector is getting serious about decarbonisation – but the learning curve is steep.
  • From 2025 onward, airlines and suppliers will face real compliance, reporting, and verification requirements.

That’s where Vertis Environmental Finance can help. We support aircraft operators to:

  • Understand and meet their ReFuelEU and EU ETS obligations
  • Make credible SAF claims and avoid double counting
  • Integrate carbon and SAF strategies for compliance and reputation

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