According to Reuters in Singapore, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has intensified its criticism of the European Union’s (EU) mandatory sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policy. At a recent media roundtable, IATA Director General Willie Walsh stated that the EU’s approach is not only costly but also ineffective in delivering real environmental benefits, especially given the current limited availability of SAF.

Walsh emphasized that transporting SAF from other regions to Europe increases logistics costs and carbon emissions, undermining the environmental purpose. “Mandating the use of a product that is not available will not yield any environmental gain,” he said.

He also warned that the EU policy distorts the market, effectively encouraging monopolistic behavior among suppliers. According to Walsh, companies obligated to produce SAF are using the mandate to inflate the price of conventional jet fuel, ultimately passing the burden onto airlines and passengers without delivering meaningful sustainability outcomes.

Walsh called on the EU to reassess its sustainability goals and adopt more balanced, effective policies, particularly in the areas of agriculture and fuel supply chains.