--- title: Understanding the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation.| OpenAirlines description: Learn about the key elements, requirements, penalties, and benefits of the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector. image: https://blog.openairlines.com/hubfs/Blog-illustration/ReFuel%20EU.jpg --- [![](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo-OpenAirlines-blue.png?width=990&height=193&name=Logo-OpenAirlines-blue.png)](https://www.openairlines.com/) - [Home](https://www.openairlines.com/) - 360° eco-flying platform - [SkyBreathe® Analytics – Fuel management software](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/) - [+ Emissions Report module](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/report-co2-emissions/) - [+ Advanced Trajectory module](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/advanced-trajectory-module/) - [SkyBreathe® MyFuelCoach – Pilot engagement app](https://www.openairlines.com/pilot-engagement-app/) - [SkyBreathe® OnBoard – Real-time eco-flying app](https://www.openairlines.com/real-time-eco-flying-app/) - [SkyBreathe® APM – Aircraft Performance Monitoring](https://www.openairlines.com/aircraft-performance-monitoring/) - [SkyBreathe® OTP – On-time performance analysis](https://www.openairlines.com/on-time-performance-analysis/) - Use Cases - [SkyBreathe For CEO/CFO](https://www.openairlines.com/for-ceo-cfo/) - [SkyBreathe For Head of Flights Ops & Chief Pilot](https://www.openairlines.com/for-head-of-flights-ops-chief-pilot/) - [SkyBreathe For Pilots](https://www.openairlines.com/for-pilots/) - [SkyBreathe For Fuel Managers & Ops Engineers](https://www.openairlines.com/for-fuel-managers-ops-engineers/) - [Customers Stories](https://www.openairlines.com/customers/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.openairlines.com/) - [White Papers](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/white-paper) - [Case Studies](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/case-studies) - [Webinars on fuel efficiency](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/upcoming-webinars) - [Upcoming Tradeshows](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/tradeshow) - [OpenAirlines Academy](https://academy.openairlines.com/?utm_campaign=23545222-Academy&utm_source=FuelEfficiencyBlog) - Company - [OpenAirlines Mission](https://www.openairlines.com/our-company/) - [News](https://blog.openairlines.com/news) - [Career - We are Hiring!](https://www.welcometothejungle.com/fr/companies/openairlines) - [Sustainability Report](https://www.openairlines.com/sustainability-report/) - [OpenDay](https://info.openairlines.com/openday2026) - [Contact](https://www.openairlines.com/contact/) [![Get a demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4233951/5390e83d-eea4-4183-83a3-0f26b0324d37.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4233951/5390e83d-eea4-4183-83a3-0f26b0324d37) ##### Blog - [Latest articles](https://blog.openairlines.com) - [Fuel Efficiency](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/fuel-efficiency) - [Airline Experience](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/airline-experience) - [Sustainability](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/environment) - [Technology](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/technology) - [News](https://blog.openairlines.com/news) ![](https://blog.openairlines.com/hubfs/Blog-illustration/ReFuel%20EU.jpg) [Back to Blog](https://blog.openairlines.com) # Understanding the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. Published by [Cécile](https://blog.openairlines.com/author/cecile) on Jul 23, 2024, 2:20:55 PM As the aviation industry grapples with the urgent need to reduce its carbon footprint, the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation initiative emerges as a pivotal policy driving changes toward sustainability.  Let's take a closer look at this policy. | Summary  - [What is the ReFuel EU Aviation policy?](https://blog.openairlines.com/understanding-the-refuel-eu-aviation-policy#what-is-refuel) - [4 key requirements under ReFuel EU Aviation](https://blog.openairlines.com/understanding-the-refuel-eu-aviation-policy#four-requirements) - [How to do your airline's ReFuel Eu Aviation report?](https://blog.openairlines.com/understanding-the-refuel-eu-aviation-policy#report-refuel) - [What is the penalty for ReFuel EU Aviation's noncompliant airlines?](https://blog.openairlines.com/understanding-the-refuel-eu-aviation-policy#penalty-refuel) - [What are the benefits of ReFuel EU Aviation](https://blog.openairlines.com/understanding-the-refuel-eu-aviation-policy#benefits-refuel) | | --- | ## What is the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation? [ReFuel EU Aviation](https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en) is an important element of the European Union’s (EU) ambitious climate policy, designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector by promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Launched as part of the “[Fit for 55](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_3541)” package, presented by the European Commission, a package that aims to enable the EU to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. the objective is to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. ## 4 key requirements under ReFuelEU Aviation ### 1. Progressive increase in SAF use ![](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/Share%20of%20SAF%20in%20all%20EU%20airports%20from%202025-2050.png?width=350&height=80&name=Share%20of%20SAF%20in%20all%20EU%20airports%20from%202025-2050.png) ReFuel EU mandates a progressive increase in SAF use, starting with a 2% blend by 2025, rising to 6% by 2030, and reaching 70% by 2050.  *Share of SAF in all EU airports in 2025 and 2050Source:[European Commission](https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en#benefits)* ![image-20260202-143956](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/image-20260202-143956.png?width=480&height=422&name=image-20260202-143956.png) Mandatory minimum proportion of SAF Source: [EASA](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/environment/eaer/sustainable-aviation-fuels/saf-policy-actions?utm_source=chatgpt.com#refueleu-aviation)   ### **2. Obligation to avoid tankering practices** Aircraft operators are obliged to ensure that the yearly quantity of aviation fuel uplifted at a given EU airport is at least 90% of the yearly aviation fuel required to avoid tankering practices that would induce additional emissions from extra weight. | 🔎 Tankering in a nutshell Tankering in aviation refers to the practice of an aircraft carrying extra fuel on a flight leg to avoid refueling at a destination where fuel prices are higher. Airlines use this strategy to avoid additional costs, as the airline can purchase fuel at a lower price at the departure airport and reduce the amount needed at more expensive locations. Nevertheless, while tankering can save money, it also increases the aircraft's weight, leading to higher fuel consumption. The ReFuelEU policy aims to prevent the additional emissions caused by the increased weight of the aircraft for carrying extra fuel from cheaper locations. | | --- | ### 3. Scope of eligible SAF: According to [**EASA,**](https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en)the scope of eligible **sustainable aviation fuels** includes **synthetic aviation fuels** from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon, **advanced biofuels** from waste and residues, **biofuels** produced from oils and fats, and **recycled-carbon** **aviation fuels**. The fuel suppliers can also decide to comply with the minimum shares by using **renewable hydrogen**, **synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels** and **low-carbon hydrogen** produced from non-fossil sources. These fuels are required to comply with the [Renewable Energy Directive’s](https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-directive-targets-and-rules/renewable-energy-directive_en)(RED’s) sustainability and emissions-saving criteria.   ### 4. Reporting requirements: The operators subject to ReFuel EU are required to **report on the 2025 monitoring period in 2026**. A third-party verifier must verify this report, which must be submitted to the respective authorities **by March 31, 2026** in the EASA [Sustainability Portal](https://sustainabilityportal.easa.europa.eu/user/login). ## How to do your airline's ReFuelEu Aviation report? As of June 2024,  the reporting should be done via the ReFuelEU reporting tool.  [![EASA sustainability portal for RefuelEU aviation regulation](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/EASA-sustainability-PORTAL.jpg?width=259&height=53&name=EASA-sustainability-PORTAL.jpg)](https://sustainabilityportal.easa.europa.eu/) You will have to submit your report with the following reporting templates:  ### 1. Template to report fuel tankering. ![Tankering report template ReFuelEU aviation](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/fuel-tankering-ReFuel-template.png?width=2526&height=538&name=fuel-tankering-ReFuel-template.png) 💡 Pro tip: For this step, EASA has created an [Aviation Fuel Monitoring Tool](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/environment/refueleu-aviation-digital-reporting-tool) that will help airlines to build the final report by computing the expected results from raw inputs. You can **synchronize your raw inputs flight-by-flight instantly in your** [**SkyBreathe®**](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/) **module** dedicated to [Emissions](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/report-co2-emissions/). ### 2. Template to report SAF purchases. ![SAF purchase report template ReFuelEU aviation](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/saf-purchases-ReFuel-template.png?width=2650&height=416&name=saf-purchases-ReFuel-template.png) ## What is the penalty for ReFuelEU Aviation's noncompliant airlines? To ensure compliance with the SAF blending and uplifting obligations, the European Commission has established criteria for non-compliance penalties. According to these guidelines, member state authorities will set penalties for fuel suppliers and airlines. For airlines, penalties will be at least twice the yearly average price of conventional jet fuel, multiplied by the quantity of SAF that has not been uplifted. The [fuels reference prices](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/general-publications/2024-aviation-fuels-reference-prices-refueleu-aviation) have been released in October 2025 in the document “[EASA reference prices for RFEUA eligible aviation fuels](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/general-publications/refueleu-aviation-annual-technical-report-2025)”. This stringent penalty framework enforces adherence to SAF usage mandates and **drives** the transition towards more sustainable aviation fuels. ## What are the benefits of ReFuelEU Aviation regulation? ReFuelEU Aviation is poised to play a critical role in helping the EU develop sustainable aviation in Europe and achieve its climate targets.  According to the EU regulation, the adoption of SAF could lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, surpassing 63% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Additionally, increasing the use of SAF is expected to mitigate other harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). This reduction in pollutants will notably improve air quality, particularly in areas surrounding airports, thereby contributing to a healthier environment and supporting the EU's broader sustainability goals. To know more about ReFuelEU Aviation benefits visit [the official website.](https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en#benefits) ![ReFuelEU Aviation Benefits ](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/ReFuel%20benefits%20.jpg?width=532&height=224&name=ReFuel%20benefits%20.jpg) ReFuel EU Aviation benefits  - Source:[European Commission](https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en#benefits) ![picto](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OpenAirlines%20Logo/picto.png?width=111&height=91&name=picto.png) --- ##### LEARN MORE \[CASE STUDY\] Discover VivaAerobus' impressive path to mastering fuel efficiency. 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