The EU launched a new Flight Emissions Label Wednesday, offering passengers a reliable methodology for calculating flight emissions, and allowing airlines to voluntarily join the label as of July 2025.
By the beginning of next summer, passengers will be able to compare estimated greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions for flights within the EU or departing from the EU, enabling them to make more informed purchasing decisions.
A current lack of common criteria for estimating flight emissions leads airlines and ticket sellers to report emission levels using disparate methodologies which are not necessarily comparable.
The Commission says the aim of the new Flight Emissions Label is to set out a reliable and harmonised methodology for estimating flight emissions, considering factors like aircraft type, average passenger numbers and freight volume on board, as well as aviation fuel used.
This is a significant step toward cleaner and more competitive European aviation, according to the EU’s Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas: “It will put an end to misleading environmental claims about flight emissions and foster a level playing field, enabling fair competition and driving sustainability across the transport and tourism industries.”
When looking for flights or booking tickets online, a dedicated logo will be displayed alongside the flight emissions data, guaranteeing that the information is reliable. This, says the Commission, will help passengers make informed decisions and protect them from misleading greenwashing claims.
The Flight Emissions Label will support aviation’s transition to net zero by ensuring fair competition among airlines, promoting the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and supporting fleet renewal. Since the estimations are based on actual consumption data, it will also encourage airlines to operate more efficiently and sustainably.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be responsible for estimating the flight emissions in accordance with the most advanced international standards on the accounting of aviation emissions. This methodology will allow for a fair, transparent, and harmonised estimation of flight emissions based on the most recent performance in the same route.
