On 26 May 2025, the Commission adopted a Commission Notice laying down the details for the calculation of the price difference between kerosene and relevant eligible aviation fuels. This is a crucial step in implementing the additional support mechanism under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) aimed at promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
The EU ETS Directive introduced a new support system to speed up the use of sustainable aviation fuels by providing free EU ETS allowances for the uplift of these fuels. This support system covers all or part of the remaining price difference between fossil kerosene and the eligible aviation fuels used by individual commercial aircraft operators on their flights covered by effective carbon pricing through the EU ETS, thus encouraging these aircraft operators to transition towards cleaner fuel options.
On 6 February 2025, the Commission adopted Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/723, which establishes the rules for the yearly calculation of the price difference between eligible aviation fuels and fossil kerosene and the rules for allocating for free the resulting number of allowances.
To facilitate transparent and uniform computations across all Member States, the Commission publishes, on an annual basis, the average prices of relevant aviation fuels for the preceding year. This 2025 Commission Notice specifically presents the average fuel prices as well as the price differences for the eligible fuels uplifted in 2024. Furthermore, it also publishes the average price of emission allowances for the calculation of the number of allowances to be allocated for free.
As per the Delegated Regulation, the prices are based on the technical report published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency referred to in Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2405. On 25 February 2025, EASA published the 2024 aviation fuels reference prices for ReFuelEU Aviation briefing. This serves as a pre-publication of the ReFuelEU aviation fuels reference prices that will be included in the first EASA technical report, which is due for publication in September 2025. The EASA technical report will use the same reference prices as in the EASA briefing.
With details now available, competent authorities are tasked with calculating allowance allocations for their commercial aircraft operators. They will notify the Commission, which will subsequently adopt a Decision on allowance allocations by 31 August, based on these submissions.
By providing a detailed, transparent pricing mechanism, the Commission fortifies its dedication to promoting sustainable fuels within the European aviation sector, aligning with broader EU environmental goals.
