Aviation sector urges Brussels to ease regulation for the next decade

The aviation industry is asking Brussels to ease its regulatory burden before the European Commission sets the policy direction for air transport over the next decade.

The International Air Transport Association says airlines spent about 9.9 billion euros complying with European legislation in 2024. It estimates that the annual bill could rise to 33 billion euros by 2050. IATA, which represents more than 370 airlines responsible for about 85% of global air traffic, is urging the Commission to honor its pledge to cut administrative burdens by 25%.

The industry’s main dispute concerns the EU Emissions Trading System. The scheme has covered some airline flights since 2012, and the aviation sector lost its free emissions allowances entirely this year. IATA wants Brussels to give priority to CORSIA, the global offsetting system created by the International Civil Aviation Organization, rather than extend the European scheme to more international routes.

“ I can admit that CORSIA is not perfect. But it is better to have one imperfect system than 28 different perfect systems,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s chief economist. She also warned that applying European obligations unilaterally to all international flights creates extraterritoriality concerns.

IATA is also calling for greater production of sustainable aviation fuel, which costs several times more than conventional kerosene. EU rules require SAF to account for at least 2% of fuel supplied at European airports from 2025, rising to 6% in 2030 and 70% in 2050, with separate targets for synthetic fuels. The Commission’s planned strategy is intended to guide aviation’s decarbonization and digitalization while strengthening its international competitiveness.

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I can admit that CORSIA is not perfect. But it is better to have one imperfect system than 28 different perfect systems.