• The regulations improve the level playing field by abolishing the free allocation of emission allowances that favoured the largest European airlines.
• The proposed regulations introduce free allocation of emission allowances for the use of so-called eligible aviation fuels in the period up to 2030. These changes will improve the transparency of the system and support emerging carriers with lower historical emissions.
• The draft aligns the regulations with current EU requirements regarding the certification of biomass, biofuels, bioliquids and alternative fuels.

The changes will level the playing field between European airlines. Airlines have been drawing on a pool of free allowances calculated based on historical data. This system favoured the largest European carriers, which have had an established network of flight routes for many years. The abolition of free allocation will benefit smaller and medium-sized airlines from countries such as Poland, which have experienced rapid growth in recent years.

The proposed regulations will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels in the aviation sector.

Aircraft operators will be allocated free emission allowances only in connection with the use of sustainable fuels up to 2030. This solution will encourage an increase in the share of sustainable (eligible) fuels in aviation.

The draft aligns the regulations with current EU requirements regarding the certification of biomass, biofuels, bioliquids and alternative fuels. Air operators will be required to monitor, report and verify emissions other than CO₂ (nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot particles, oxidised sulphur compounds (SOx) and water vapour (H2O), including contrails, as well as to monitor, report and offset emissions covered by the CORSIA scheme (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).

The proposed changes will increase the transparency of the system and support emerging carriers with lower historical emissions.