Commissioner Valean’s response to MEP regarding SAF

4 March 2024: Last week, Commissioner Adina Valean responded to MEP Tomasz Frankowski (Poland) who asked three written question on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) availability and possible solutions in relation to the book and claim system.

Her written answers mention that the ReFuelEU Aviation Impact Assessment shows aviation fuel suppliers are obliged to supply minimum shares of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to Union airports, resulting in limited fine provisions, and the flexibility mechanism and reporting requirements in ReFuelEU Aviation aim to help fuel suppliers meet their obligations and facilitate monitoring.

She also said that the Commission has implemented measures to support developmenmt of the SAF market, such as the Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels Value Chain Industrial Alliance and the Net-Zero Industry Act. The Commission will publish a report on the SAF flexibility mechanism in July 2024, assessing additional measures to facilitate the supply and uptake of SAF.

Finally, she mentioned that the report is limited to EU borders and will not consider implementing a SAF accounting mechanism with third countries.

23 January 2024: MEP Tomasz Frankowski asked a written question to the Commission on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) availability and possible solutions in relation to the proposed book and claim system.

A few months ago, the ReFuelEU text was adopted and implemented in the European Union with the goal of gradually reducing the use of kerosene in favour of SAF, however, the supply chain and access to SAF still need managed. The Commission is preparing a proposal for a 'book and claim' system while holding workshops with the industry to better understand the challenge. 

On this issue, the MEP addressed a few questions to the Commission to understand how it will ensure that fuel suppliers do not pass on the cost of potential fines to air operators, especially when they do not comply with the minimum share requirement.

They also asked if the Commission has investigated potential competition issues in SAF supply and pricing and if it has taken into account the additional capacity that the US could provide through a book and claim system for air operators.