The European Commission welcomes today’s launch of the eSAF Early Movers Coalition, which brings together Member States committed to scaling up the production and uptake of synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF). Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain announced their participation in the Coalition in the margins of the Transport Council in Brussels.

As a key initiative resulting from the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the Coalition underscores the essential role of synthetic aviation fuels in boosting the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. Under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, eSAF must account for 1.2% of fuel supplied at EU airports by 2030 and 35% by 2050. The EU is already home to more than 40 eSAF projects awaiting final investment decisions, making increased investment essential to strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership in this sector.

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: “With the launch of this Coalition, we are strengthening the EU aviation sector’s efforts to reduce emissions. I welcome the dedication of the participating Member States. Their financial contributions – aiming to mobilise at least €500 million for large-scale projects – will stimulate the needed investments and support swift deployment of eSAF in the EU.”