Air France-KLM becomes the first airline group to join the new EU flight emissions labelling scheme

Air France-KLM has signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to partner on the implementation process of the new EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL), which aims to provide passengers with information on flight-related emissions, allowing them to make informed decisions when booking and comparing flights. The agreement with EASA provides for a structured framework for the two airlines to assess and test the EASA Flight Emissions Portal, the data reporting process and the administrative effort required. In turn, Air France-KLM agrees to supply emissions-related data. The voluntary labelling scheme was established under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation adopted in 2023, with a European Commission implementing regulation following in December 2024. Airlines from both EU and non-EU countries covered by the ReFuelEU regulation can join the FEL.

In accordance with the regulation (Article 6(5)), only those airlines that have joined are allowed to display emissions to their passengers in the European Union. The Commission and EASA are therefore encouraging airlines to join the Flight Emissions Label if they want to display flight emissions and use these estimates when, for example, offering SAF or other emissions offsets to passengers. The FEL data is expected to be available on an increasing number of platforms, including airline booking websites and online travel agents.

“Ensuring passengers are well-informed about the environmental impact of flights is crucial part of the transition to a lower carbon economy by enabling sustainable choices,” comments the FEL portal.

Feedback from over 9,500 participants in an EU-wide survey in 2019 showed 80% of air passengers claiming they would like details on the emissions of flights they take, but only 5% said they had access to such information. Different options on how this could be provided were explored in a pilot project coordinated by EASA, which was the predecessor of the FEL.

EASA says the label will reflect real-world flight performance rather than the use of assumptions, and increase accountability within the aviation sector by establishing a harmonised emissions calculation methodology, data reporting and emissions display for all airlines in the EU. “Building on a fully digitalised process, the FEL will also reduce the administrative burden for the sector,” it assures.

As the first airlines to join the FEL, the Air France-KLM group will benefit from early access to the label’s results and methodologies, as well as reporting and validation processes.

Welcoming the agreement with Air France-KLM, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, said: “This decisive step turns their commitment to decarbonisation into concrete action, reinforcing fair competition, transparency and trust. It also marks a key milestone in the rollout of the EU Flight Emissions Label and ReFuelEU Aviation, while helping to accelerate the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels to cut flight emissions.

“I encourage other airlines to join this initiative, driving a more sustainable and transparent future for European aviation.”

Added Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA: “As a result of this agreement, Air France-KLM will be providing valuable insights to help us shape, refine and optimise the scheme to prepare for its wider implementation.”

The emissions-related data submitted by the two airlines will include, in accordance with Article 3 FEL, actual flight performance data, such as the aviation fuel consumption and time per flight, the average load factors and freight carried, as well as the amount and type of aviation fuels (fossil kerosene and SAF) consumed per airport. This, says EASA, will enable the prospective coverage of emissions labels for upcoming operations.

Commenting on the FEL collaboration, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, said: “Our early and active participation is designed to help shape a fair, transparent and effective framework for all airlines. This initiative is a critical component of our broader strategy to lead the decarbonisation of our industry.

“We will continue to leverage every available tool to reduce our environmental footprint and we believe that common, transparent standards are essential to support our collective journey towards sustainable aviation.”

Air France-KLM has also signed an agreement with Airbus that enables the planemaker’s employees to reduce the impact of their business travel by supporting the development of sustainable aviation fuel. Through their booking tool, the employees can now select ‘SAF Bundles’ where the fares include a voluntary contribution towards the purchase of SAF that is directly embedded in the plane ticket.

Image: Air France-KLM Group

Christopher Surgenor

Editor

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