18 Key Insights From European Aviation Environmental Report
Aviation is not alone in finding itself at a crossroads in its decarbonisation transition.
The industry is under increasing pressure to deliver against agreed environmental goals.
It also faces challenges in renewing its fleet because of supply chain issues, as well as the premium price of sustainable aviation fuel and limited production capacity.
Throughout all of this, millions of people want to fly. And aviation brings significant benefits to Europe, including connectivity, employment and economic.
These at times competing factors are pulled together in the European Aviation Environmental Report 2025, which summarises sustainability progress – and flags up the challenges.
Florian Guillermet, Executive Director, EU Aviation Safety Agency, said: “Much has been done in recent years to set us on the right path to achieve the European Green Deal objectives.
“However, we need to move faster at turning sustainability goals into action.
“A concerted effort is required now to manage an orderly transition to cleaner aviation while maintaining a high uniform level of safety and connectivity.
“Honest, transparent and effective communication is critical to securing the trust of European citizens that aviation is indeed acting to become more sustainable and will meet the future goals.”
Sustainability Magazine scoured the report and highlights 18 fascinating facts and challenges.
Flights in numbers
- The number of flights arriving at and departing from EU27+EFTA airports reached 8.35 million in 2023, still 10% below the pre-Covid 2019 level
- Low-cost operators have recovered faster from Covid than mainline operators
- The average number of passengers (135) and distance (1,730km) per flight continues to grow, as does the average fleet age (11.8 years)
- Future traffic growth was revised downwards compared to the previous outlook, with 9.4, 11.8 and 13.8 million flights now foreseen in 2050 under the low, base and high traffic scenarios.
Flight emissions
- In 2023, flights departing from EU27+EFTA airports emitted 133 million tonnes of CO2, which is 10% less than in 2019
- Single and twin-aisle jets accounted for 77% of these flights and 96% of the CO2 emissions. 6% of the flights were long-haul (further than 4,000km) and accounted for 46% of the CO2
- The average mass of CO2 emitted per passenger kilometre further reduced to 83g in 2023, equivalent to 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 passenger kilometres
- Total gate to gate CO2 emissions broken down by flight phase indicates that most emissions originate from the cruise phase (62.9%) and climb phase (23.2%)
- 118 airports in Europe have announced a net zero CO2 emissions target by 2030 or earlier, of which 16 airports have already achieved it
- 400 million tonnes of CO2 emissions (9.3% less CO2 per flight) could be saved with the completion of the SES ATM Master Plan vision by 2050.
Noise
- In February 2025 the ICAO CAEP is aiming to agree on new aircraft noise and CO2 limits that would become applicable in the next five years
- Discussions have been initiated within ICAO CAEP to review the noise limits for light propeller-driven aircraft and helicopters, which have been unchanged since 1999 and 2002 respectively.
- Significant airport initiatives are being taken forward to invest in onsite production of renewable energy to electrify ground support equipment, thereby mitigating noise and emissions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- Airport infrastructure will need to be adapted to accommodate SAF and zero emissions aircraft (electric, hydrogen) to meet ReFuelEU Aviation requirements
- Some airports are supporting the uptake of SAF through investment in production, supply chain involvement, raising awareness, financial incentives and policy engagement
- The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation has set a minimum supply mandate for SAF in Europe, starting with 2% in 2025 and increasing to 70% in 2050
- As of 2024, SAF production represented 0.53% of global jet fuel use
- SAF prices are currently 3 to 10 times more than conventional fuel, although they are expected to reduce substantially as production technologies scale up.
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