Aviation
Aviation bosses embrace sustainable aviation fuels as path to green flying
Two of Europe’s leading aviation companies have argued that scaling up sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is an essential step to decarbonise flying, as hydrogen is not yet ready to be adopted on a large scale.
EU considers applying green jet fuel mandate to all departing flights
The European Commission has confirmed that the upcoming ReFuelEU Aviation initiative will impose a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending mandate, with the EU executive suggesting it will apply to all flights taking off from European airports, regardless of whether their destination is inside the bloc.
Rail and aviation set for showdown over 2022 ‘European Year of’ status
Rail associations are calling on the European Commission to extend the current “European Year of Rail” designation to 2022 as the ongoing pandemic has disrupted this year's planned activities. But some MEPs argue that next year should be the “European Year of Aviation” to support the struggling airline sector.
France to ban some domestic flights where train available
French MPs have voted to suspend domestic airline flights on routes that can be travelled by direct train in less than two and a half hours, as part of a series of climate and environmental measures.
Airlines could use new EU COVID pass this summer, Reynders tells MEPs
Airlines could check new European Union COVID certificates before allowing onboard passengers going on summer holidays, a senior official said on Tuesday (13 April) as the bloc seeks to restart a travel sector ravaged by the pandemic.
EU planning staggered increase in use of green jet fuel
The EU’s upcoming ReFuelEU proposal, aimed at cutting emissions in the aviation sector, will apply a staggered blending mandate for green jet fuel, with the percentage scaling up in roughly five-year intervals, EURACTIV understands.
Long-haul airlines seek exclusion from EU green jet fuel mandate
The aviation industry is divided on whether an expected EU mandate on green jet fuel should include all flights departing from the bloc or be restricted to inter-EU flights, with the fault line running largely between budget airlines and legacy carriers.
FedEx unveils $2 billion plan to become carbon neutral by 2040
International delivery company FedEx has announced it will invest $2 billion (€1.66bn) to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2040, a task that will involve cutting the emissions of the company’s 70 aircraft and more than 30,000 vehicles operating in Europe.
Auditors to probe potential abuse of air passenger rights during pandemic
The European Court of Auditors (ECA), which monitors European Union spending and management, announced Wednesday (3 March) that it is launching an audit to assess whether the European Commission took sufficient steps to ensure air passenger rights were upheld during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ticket to ride: Vaccine passports divide world
As European Union leaders debated the idea Thursday (25 February) amid claims that it could be divisive and discriminatory, on the global scale, the idea of vaccine passports, which would allow people who have been inoculated the freedom to travel,...
EU announces fresh funding for ‘disruptive’ research into clean aircraft
The European Commission announced on Tuesday (23 February) that it will finance the development of new aircraft powered by clean fuel sources, in a bid to cut aviation emissions by 2050.
Airlines implore EU countries to implement vaccine ‘travel pass’
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on EU leaders to introduce controversial vaccine passports to restart the ailing air travel sector, according to a leaked document seen by EURACTIV.
Boeing grounds 777s after engine fire
Boeing confirmed Monday (22 February) that dozens of its 777 aircraft were grounded globally after the engine of a United Airlines plane caught fire and scattered debris over a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
Aviation sustainability and concerns over the implementation of the recovery fund
In the first edition of EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the European airline industry’s sustainability plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The aviation sector is facing the double challenge of coming up with alternative fuel solutions...
Ryanair vows to appeal EU court loss in airline bailouts case
Ryanair lost on Wednesday (17 February) two EU court challenges to massive public bailouts of rival companies such as Air France and SAS designed to help them get through the coronavirus pandemic - an outcome the company immediately said it would appeal.
Airline industry charts path to carbon neutrality by 2050
The European airline industry has launched a sustainability plan to achieve carbon neutrality in the aviation sector by 2050, a roadmap they say will align the notoriously carbon-intensive sector, currently suffering a huge pandemic-caused downturn, with EU climate goals.
Parliament passes measures to prevent return of ‘ghost flights’
The European Parliament approved a revamp of the EU's “use it or lose it” waiver for airport slot rules on Thursday (11 February), a measure first introduced in March 2020 to stop pandemic-hit airlines from flying almost empty planes to maintain access to ports.
Eight EU countries call for green fuel to be mandatory in European aircraft
Ministers from eight European countries have called on the European Commission to boost the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) by requiring them to be blended into kerosene, a move they say will drive down emissions in the sector.
Spain agrees ‘rescue plan’ to save aerospace jobs
The Spanish government, trade unions, and employer’s associations announced on Wednesday (3 February) an emergency rescue plan to maintain production capacity in the country’s aerospace factories and save thousands of jobs, mainly in the Spanish branch of EU manufacturer Airbus. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Air France, unions rail against EU bailout conditions
Air France and its pilot unions protested on Wednesday (3 February) against EU demands that the airline give up takeoff and landing slots at its Paris base in return for government aid.
EU flags concern over Austrian minimum airfare plan
The EU has raised concerns over Austrian plans to set a minimum airfare, a spokesman said, weighing in on an environmental policy debate that pits traditional airlines against low-cost carriers.
Virus lockdowns caused shift to ‘private mobility’: report
The need to avoid crowded spaces led Europeans to opt for "private mobility modes", such as cycling, walking, and private vehicles, according to the European Mobility Atlas 2021, a report analysing key facts and figures about transport in Europe.
Boeing 737 MAX cleared to fly by EU regulator
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on Wednesday (27 January) that it had cleared the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again in European skies, 22 months after the plane was grounded following two fatal crashes. “Following extensive analysis...