EU introduces Flight Emissions Label for more informed and sustainable travelling

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the Commission adopted a Regulation putting in place a Flight Emissions Label (FEL), which offers a clear and trustworthy methodology for calculating flight emissions. Airlines operating flights within the EU or departing from the EU will be able to voluntarily join this label which will be fully operational as of July 2025. By the beginning of next summer, passengers will have the possibility to view and compare the estimated greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of their flights enabling them to make more informed purchasing decisions.

Currently, the lack of a common methodology and criteria for estimating flight emissions leads airlines and ticket sellers to report emission levels using disparate methodologies which are not necessarily comparable. The Flight Emissions Label aims to change this by setting out a reliable and harmonised methodology for estimating flight emissions, considering factors like aircraft type, average passenger numbers and freight volume on board, as well as aviation fuel used.

When searching for flights or booking tickets online, a dedicated logo will be displayed alongside the flight emissions data, guaranteeing that the information is reliable. This will help passengers make informed decisions and protect them from misleading greenwashing claims.

The Flight Emissions Label will support aviation’s transition to net zero by ensuring fair competition among airlines, promoting the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and supporting fleet renewal. Since the estimations are based on actual consumption data, it will also encourage airlines to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be responsible for estimating the flight emissions in accordance with the most advanced international standards on the accounting of aviation emissions. This methodology will allow for a fair, transparent, and harmonised estimation of flight emissions based on the most recent performance in the same route.

Next steps

By 1 February 2025, airlines that operate flights within the EU or depart from the EU can opt-in to participate in the Flight Emissions Label. To do so, they will need to submit the required data to the EASA. The first flight labels will then be assigned by EASA by 1 July 2025, and will apply to flights scheduled during the 2025 winter season.

Background

The Flight Emissions Label is foreseen by Article 14 of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. This Regulation is part of the EU’s broader strategy to promote sustainable aviation, with a focus on increasing the use of SAF through various initiatives, including the ReFuelEU Aviation, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and other measures. The goal is to ensure fair competition in the aviation industry while encouraging its transition towards more sustainable practices. Airlines from the EU and non-EU countries, eligible under ReFuelEU Aviation, may choose to participate in the Flight Emissions Label scheme on a voluntary basis. To maintain a level playing field, the scheme prohibits private initiatives from displaying EU flight emissions information to passengers, ensuring that all operators adhere to the same standards.