Business and general aviation groups are backing a call for European Union leaders to prioritize investments in renewable fuels and more sustainable technologies as air transportation continues to gradually renew operations in the region.

Thirteen organizations issued an open letter today to EU ministers and European commissioners, saying, “Due to the current dramatic revenue losses across the entire air transport ecosystem in Europe, it will be challenging to achieve timely and ambitious investments into climate action,” and this makes public support for decarbonization efforts more important now than ever.

The groups outlined a series of proposals to accomplish that goal of support for green initiatives. Proposals include a call for implementing policies dedicated to boosting the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). These policies should involve direct capital investment and financing projects for SAF production facilities, as well as the establishment of a center of excellence for SAF, the groups said.

Other proposals seek incentives for airlines and operators to replace older aircraft with newer, more fuel-efficient models and for increased public investment in research programs for new technologies and fuels. The groups further called for continued investment in air traffic management modernization and in sustainable airport and heliport infrastructure.

“As we begin the recovery process from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is essential that the aviation industry continues to make strides towards achieving our environmental sustainability goals. If properly structured, these investment measures would further general and business aviation industry efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve its environmental performance,” said Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA, which was among the letter's signatories.

Saying business aviation investment in sustainability has become the “new normal,” EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan added, “We have an opportunity to rebuild better by reducing air transport emissions in the most cost-efficient way. These support measures will help our sector regain its economic viability—a prerequisite for safeguarding both air connectivity and our ability to keep investing in decarbonization.”