EU introduces flight emissions label for calculating "clear and trustworthy" flight emissions

The European Commission is putting in place a flight emissions label (FEL), which it said will offer a “clear and trustworthy methodology for calculating flight emissions". Passengers will have the ability to view and compare the estimated greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of their flight from summer next year. 

The commission said this move will enable passengers to make a more informed decision in purchasing their flights. 

The label is available for airline operating within or departing from the EU to voluntarily join. The label will be fully operational as of July 2025. 

The FEL will consider factors such as aircraft type, average passenger numbers and freight volume on board. It will also include the aviation fuel used. 

“The flight emissions label will transform air travel by providing passengers with transparent and reliable information about flight emissions,” said commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism Apostolos Tzitzkiostas. “It will put an end to misleading environmental claims about flight emissions and foster a level playing field, enabling fair competition and driving sustainability.”

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be responsible for estimating the flight emissions. 

Airlines that can and wish to opt-in to the label can do so by February 1, 2025, and will be required to submit the required data to the EASA. The FEL will initially apply to flights scheduled during the 2025 winter schedule. 

The label is part of the EU's wider drive to increase SAF usage through ReFuelEU Aviation and the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) to push toward net zero emissions by 2050.