European airlines have requested the EU to delay 'unfeasible' green measures due to rising costs attributed to the Middle Eastern conflict, but the EU has rejected the postponement and insists on maintaining climate goals.
On Thursday, European airline executives urged the European Union to postpone its green agenda measures, labeling them as 'unfeasible' amid rising ticket prices brought on by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The request highlights the strain that the airline industry is currently experiencing, which is compounded by external factors such as geopolitical tensions and economic pressures.
In response to the request from airlines, the EU swiftly dismissed any notion of delaying their climate targets. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, emphasized the importance of staying the course with the climate goals and stated that the sector needs to invest in sustainable practices moving forward. This indicates the EU's commitment to environmental initiatives, despite the pressures from industry stakeholders.
Additionally, the airline lobbying group A4E has called for the revocation of mandates regarding the use of sustainable synthetic aviation fuel (eSAF) starting in 2030, citing high costs and a lack of available supply. Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, made a public plea for a delay in the implementation of these eSAF rules until the necessary infrastructure is in place, demonstrating the ongoing tension between environmental ambitions and industry viability during challenging economic times.
