ReFuelEU Aviation
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Compliance Essentials for ReFuelEU Aviation 2023/2405
ReFuelEU Aviation (RFEUA) brings along with it, many compliance requirements for aircraft operators, fuel suppliers and union airport managing bodies to follow.
The regulation introduces measures to prevent economic tankering, which harms the environment and distorts fair competition in the EU air transport market, by introducing a requirement to uplift fuel at union airports for Aircraft operators, and a requirement to provide fuel with the minimum shares of SAF to Aircraft operators.
The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation is a critical element of the EU’s climate strategy to achieve significant emissions reductions by promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and preventing harmful practices like economic tankering. It establishes clear obligations for aircraft operators, fuel suppliers, and Union airports to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability. Aircraft operators must meet specific fuel uplift targets and maintain robust monitoring systems to fulfil reporting requirements accurately.
The implementation of ReFuelEU implies obligations on fuel suppliers, Union airports, and aircraft operators, which are discussed in the following subsections.
Only flights under the aircraft operator’s responsibility should be reported, determined primarily by the ICAO designator used as the ATC call sign in item 7 of the flight plan. If unavailable, responsibility is based on the aircraft registration serving as the ATC call sign in item 7 of the flight plan.
| REPORTABLE FLIGHTS | NON-REPORTABLE FLIGHTS |
| Passenger and Cargo flights | Non-EU State flights, Military flights, customs, and police flights |
| Maintenance flights | Humanitarian, search and rescue flights |
| Diverted flights | Scientific research flights |
| Repositioning flights | Medical and Fire-fighting flights |
| Ferry flights | Training flights of the flight crew for their type license certification, Circular flights |
| Flights performed in the framework of public service obligations. | Flights performed in exempted routes during the temporary period under Article 5(3) of RFEUA |
| Repatriation flights, return flights, including readmission |
To perform accurate monitoring, the aircraft operator should implement a robust management system, with well-defined procedures and control activities to keep track of flights subject to RFEUA reporting requirements.
Key monitoring activities required by the aircraft operators:
Aircraft operators can apply for temporary exemptions from the obligation to refuel prior to departure on specific routes departing from Union airports. These exemptions apply to certain routes, limited to a maximum distance of 850 km or routes departing from airports situated on islands without rail or road connections limited to a maximum distance of 1200 km, under the specific circumstances laid down in Article 5(3)(a) and (b) of the RFEUA.
Operators are required to submit applications via EASA’s sustainability portal to the competent authority of the respective Member State three months before the intended start date, including detailed justification and supporting evidence. The strength of the submitted documentation will determine the approval of exemptions.
Approved exemptions last up to 1 year, with renewals requested for 3 months before expiration.
Contact Normec Verifavia for ReFuelEU Aviation verification and finalize contracts as soon as possible to avoid last-minute hassle
