European aviation giants are sounding the alarm: the European Union's target of requiring the use of 6% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030 is considered "unrealistic" and needs to be postponed urgently. During the A4E Aviation Summit taking place today in Brussels, the CEOs of Ryanair, IAG (International Airlines Group, whose main subsidiaries are British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, Iberia Express, Level, as well as IAG Cargo and Avios Group), Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, respectively Michael O'Leary, Luis Gallego, Carsten Spohr and Benjamin Smith, expressed serious concerns about the feasibility of this ambitious target.

According to the CEOs of the main European airlines, the picture is worrying: the prohibitive costs and the limited availability of SAF represent insurmountable obstacles, seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the sector. Gallego stressed the urgent need for a European strategy that guarantees SAF at competitive prices, warning that without concrete interventions the only viable solution is to postpone the 2030 target. Spohr added fuel to the fire, calling on the EU to adopt "light rules" as part of the Green Deal. Both CEOs highlighted the lack of a coherent European strategy and an adequate regulatory framework to support the transition towards SAF.

The appeal of the 4 has sparked reactions at international level, first of all the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which has expressed similar concerns regarding the availability of SAF and the associated costs. In particular, the association has underlined the need for government policies that incentivize the production of SAF and reduce costs. It has also highlighted the importance of investments in infrastructure and technologies to support the transition to sustainable fuels.

Let us not forget that the issue of SAFs is at the heart of the global debate on sustainable aviation, with several regions following suit and adopting similar policies and objectives. However, the challenge of large-scale production and cost reduction remains a significant obstacle, the solution of which seems far from being achieved. The request for a postponement raises questions about the implications for the EU's emission reduction targets and the aviation sector's commitment to sustainability. The ball is now in the European Commission's court, which will have to assess the request and consider possible alternatives to ensure a sustainable and, above all, realistic transition.