Ap. Tzitzikostas: “Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Air Transport is the 21st Century’s Critical Challenge and Essential for the Sector’s Growth”

The European Commission has unveiled recommendations aimed at fostering a more sustainable future in aviation as part of its 2025 report.

This marks the fourth edition of the “European Aviation Environmental Report,” which provides an in-depth analysis of the aviation sector’s environmental performance and the advancements made since the previous report in 2022. The Commission emphasizes strategies to mitigate aviation’s impact on climate change, noise pollution, and air quality. Key recommendations include boosting the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, optimizing air traffic management, and integrating more fuel-efficient technologies. If implemented, these measures could potentially cut emissions by at least two-thirds by 2050 compared to a scenario without further intervention.

Since the last report, there have been notable advancements in sustainable aviation fuels and enhancements in air traffic management efficiency. However, the Commission cautions that the anticipated rise in air traffic demand, both in Europe and globally, necessitates additional actions. The aviation sector, like all transport modes, must contribute to the European Union’s ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with air traffic expected to increase to 11.8 million flights annually by that time.

In reference to the report, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, remarked, “Environmental sustainability in aviation is the defining challenge of the 21st century and is essential for the sector’s growth while maintaining vital connectivity for our citizens. The ‘European Aviation Environmental Report’ helps track progress and pinpoint improvement areas, providing critical data for decision-making that aligns European aviation with community and international environmental objectives.”

The report is prepared by the Commission in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, supported by the European Environment Agency and Eurocontrol. (01/14/2025)