The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) welcomes the recent decision by the European Commission to approve a €36 million Danish state aid scheme to support the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This funding will be used to green domestic aviation operations in Denmark, significantly exceeding the minimum SAF use requirements set by the European Parliament.
We support the Commission’s conclusion that state aid for decarbonising aviation is necessary, effective, and proportionate. The Danish scheme sets a positive precedent, and we urge other EU member states to follow suit by introducing similar support for their domestic aviation sectors. Such measures are essential to ensure the transition to a climate- and financially sustainable aviation industry.
The EU’s climate goals are ambitious and justified, but they surpass the commitments made in international agreements. Without adequate political and financial backing, these ambitions risk backfiring – pricing European aviation out of the global market. We therefore call on the EU to go further and allow state aid to support SAF use in international aviation as well.
Crucially, any public support must come with strong social conditions. State aid should only be available to companies that respect collective bargaining agreements, recognise trade unions, and uphold decent employment standards.
Learn more about ETF priorities for the coming years in the ETF Vision for Civil Aviation here.