EU sustainable aviation fuel supply exceeds mandatory targets in 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply in the European Union nearly sextupled in 2025, reaching 1.1 million tonnes. This volume represents 2.8% of the 39.3 million tonnes of aviation fuel distributed across EU airports, surpassing the 2% minimum mandate established by the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation.

According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), SAF availability expanded significantly from 33 airports in 2024 to 121 airports in 2025. The shift to sustainable alternatives is estimated to have avoided between 3.33 and 3.77 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during the year. While 84% of the SAF supplied was produced within the EU, much of the raw material originated from outside the bloc.

In Romania, the rise in SAF demand presents a new commercial opportunity for farmers. Discussions suggest that cultivating short-cycle sunflowers after autumn cereals could provide a secondary income stream and a reliable source of feedstock for the biofuel industry without reducing food production areas.