Why Aviation Faces Supply Chain Snag in Sustainability Push
Aviation finds itself navigating the intersection of sustainability, economic growth and passenger expectations.
The industry is under mounting pressure to meet environmental commitments, but challenges persist.
Supply chain disruptions and the high cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), compounded by limited production capacity, threaten to slow progress.
Despite this, millions of people continue to rely on air travel for connectivity, employment and economic activity, making aviation vital to Europe.
These tensions are captured in the European Aviation Environmental Report 2025, which outlines the industry's sustainability efforts and highlights significant challenges.
Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), puts it bluntly: “Much has been done in recent years to set us on the right path to achieve the European Green Deal objectives. However, we need to move faster at turning sustainability goals into action.”
Florian emphasises the need for a collective effort to transition towards cleaner aviation while maintaining safety and connectivity.
He also highlights the importance of “honest, transparent and effective communication” to build public trust in the industry’s sustainability ambitions.
Supply chain pressures on fleet renewal
The aviation sector’s shift towards more sustainable practices depends heavily on the renewal of its fleet, but supply chain challenges are a significant hurdle.
New aircraft are critical for reducing emissions, yet bottlenecks in manufacturing and delivery make it difficult to modernise fleets at the required pace.
Data from 2023 illustrates the scale of the challenge. EU27 and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) airports handled 8.35 million flights, 10% fewer than in 2019 due to the lingering effects of Covid-19.
Low-cost carriers have rebounded more quickly than traditional operators and passenger numbers per flight continue to grow, averaging 135 passengers over 1,730km.
However, fleets are ageing, with an average aircraft age of 11.8 years.
The report revises down projections for future flight growth. By 2050, Europe expects between 9.4 and 13.8 million flights annually, depending on traffic scenarios. This lower outlook reflects an increased focus on sustainability and efficiency but also points to ongoing supply chain constraints.
Emissions and SAF adoption
Flight emissions remain a central challenge for aviation, even as progress is made.
In 2023, flights departing from EU27+EFTA airports emitted 133 million tonnes of CO2, 10% less than 2019 levels. Single and twin-aisle jets dominate emissions, accounting for 96% of the total. Although long-haul flights represent only 6% of total flights, they contribute a disproportionate 46% of CO2 emissions.
Efforts to cut emissions are ongoing. The average CO2 emitted per passenger kilometre dropped to 83g in 2023, equivalent to 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 passenger kilometres. Yet most emissions come from the cruise phase of flights, making it a key target for efficiency improvements.
Sustainable aviation fuel is seen as a pillar of decarbonisation in the industry.
However, SAF represented just 0.53% of global jet fuel use in 2024. Production costs remain high —currently three to 10 times more expensive than conventional jet fuel — though scaling up technologies is expected to bring prices down.
The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation sets ambitious targets, mandating SAF supply to reach 2% in 2025 and 70% by 2050.
Some airports are already investing in SAF production and supply chains to meet these goals, alongside exploring infrastructure for zero-emissions aircraft like hydrogen or electric planes.
Addressing noise and energy transition
Noise pollution is another focus area for the industry. The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) is reviewing noise standards, with new limits expected by 2025.
Current noise limits for light propeller-driven aircraft and helicopters have remained unchanged since the late 1990s, highlighting the need for updates.
Airports are also taking steps to address both noise and emissions by investing in renewable energy. Many are working to electrify ground support equipment, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating noise pollution.
Across Europe, 118 airports have pledged to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2030 or earlier and 16 have already reached that milestone.
The European aviation sector faces immense challenges, but the potential rewards are equally significant. For example, the completion of the Single European Sky ATM (Air Traffic Management) Master Plan by 2050 could save 400 million tonnes of CO2, reducing emissions per flight by 9.3%.
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