Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission introduced a Flight Emissions Label (FEL) regulation to standardize flight emission estimates and transparent emission data for informed purchasing decisions.
The European Commission has introduced a regulation setting in place a Flight Emissions Label (FEL). It would present a clear and reliable methodology for estimating flight emissions. Airlines running flights within the European Union or vacating from the European Union will be capable of voluntarily joining this label which will be fully functional as of July 2025.Â
Nowadays, the absence of a standard methodology and measures for estimating flight emissions pushes airlines and ticket sellers to register emission levels utilising disparate methods which are not necessarily identical.
How does the new FEL promote transparency in travel?
The Flight Emissions Label seeks to change by forming a reliable and harmonised methodology for calculating flight emissions, assessing factors like aircraft type, average passenger digits, and freight volume on panel, as well as aviation fuel utilised.Â
Moreover, the Flight Emissions Label will help aviation’s transition to net zero by guaranteeing fair contest among airlines, enabling the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and sustaining fleet renewal. Since the estimates are based on real consumption data, it will also enable airlines to work more efficiently and sustainably.
How will FEL help passengers make informed decisions?
As reported by the EU Commission, by the start of next summer, passengers will have the option to consider and approximate the calculated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their flights allowing them to make more knowledgeable purchasing decisions.
According to the commission, when exploring for flights or reserving tickets online, a reliable logo will be shown alongside the flight emissions information, ensuring that the information is reliable. This will allow passengers to make knowledgeable decisions and save them from misleading greenwashing assertions.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be tasked with evaluating flight emissions following the most developed international measures on the accounting of aviation emissions. This process will qualify for a fair, transparent, and coordinated estimation of flight emissions founded on the most recent interpretation in the same route.
