The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), along with aerospace manufacturers, aircraft operators, fuel producers and logistics providers, has co-signed a letter calling for flexibility in the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. The coalition is advocating for the introduction of a book and claim system to address challenges in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) distribution.

While the regulation mandates fuel suppliers to provide SAF at major airports, physical supply constraints, investment uncertainties and high costs continue to hinder widespread adoption. EBAA argues that a book and claim system would allow SAF purchases to be credited to operators regardless of location, ensuring more efficient distribution without requiring physical supply at every airport.

The coalition highlights that many European and non-EU airports lack SAF access, feedstock limitations are delaying production investments and SAF costs remain significantly higher than conventional jet fuel. Introducing book and claim would encourage investment in SAF production, provide regulatory certainty and leverage digital biofuel tracking systems to prevent double counting.

EBAA’s initiative aims to align aviation’s decarbonisation with EU climate targets while offering a cost-effective and practical approach to scaling up SAF usage. The European Commission is currently assessing SAF policy as part of its Clean Industrial Deal and Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP).