The ReFuelEU Aviation Directive is now final: from 2030 airlines operating in the EU must ensure 1.2% of jet fuel is synthetic aviation fuel derived from green hydrogen and captured CO₂.
⛰️ Hurdles
High production cost of e-kerosene: currently 4–5x more expensive than fossil jet fuel.
Large scale-up needed: Few synthetic aviation fuel (e-SAF) plants are operational.
Regulatory and infrastructure bottlenecks: Including eligibility criteria for green hydrogen and carbon sourcing.
🌱 Opportunities
Decarbonises aviation — one of hardest sectors to electrify.
Drives demand for green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, unlocking new value chains.
Strengthens EU industrial leadership in low-carbon aviation and fuels technology.
🔑 Your Move
📊 Monitor project announcements for e-SAF plants and timelines to FID.
🤝 Explore partnerships in green hydrogen, CO₂ capture, and aviation fuel supply chains.
⚙️ Prepare manufacturing, logistics and regulatory compliance for synthetic aviation fuel.
🧭 Track policy & incentive developments across EU member states that support e-SAF uptake.
🦁 Muzaffar’s Comment
“This mandate signals that green hydrogen is moving from promise to policy. Aviation has a hard-to-abate profile — hitting 1.2% by 2030 will trigger real industrial action.”
🦉 Sameer’s Comment
“Ambitious target—but the gap between regulation and deployment is big. If production costs, feedstocks and infrastructure don’t keep pace, this could become a lofty goal rather than an industrial reality.”
