After seven months of negotiations, Belgium finally has a new federal government as of 3 February 2025. The coalition agreement, spanning 208 pages, introduces several key measures impacting the aviation sector, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and energy transition.
Key government measures on aviation
🔹 Aviation law reform: A working group will draft a new aviation law, balancing noise pollution, public health, economic activity, and operational efficiency.
🔹 Sustainability at Brussels Airport: The airport aims to lead the energy transition, targeting carbon neutrality at the infrastructure level by 2030. This anticipates EU obligations under the Fit for 55 package, which mandates increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for flights departing from EU airports. A compulsory SAF refueling policy is in the works.
🔹 Improved border & passenger experience:
- Increased aviation police staffing for border controls.
- Enhanced public transport accessibility to airports.
- A new €5 passenger tax.
🔹 Climate-oriented fiscal & regulatory changes:
- Kerosene tax proposal: A possible tax on fuel remaining in aircraft tanks upon arrival, requiring international negotiations and a potential revision of the 1944 Chicago Convention. However, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation already requires Member States to impose penalties for non-compliance, making an immediate Chicago Convention revision less urgent.
- SAF investment incentives: A 40% tax deduction for investments in green energy, technology, and climate-friendly aviation innovations.
- Sustainable finance: Aviation is now a priority sector in Belgium’s sustainable finance strategy, with government-backed financing to support the industry’s green transition.
🔹 Our views
Many airlines currently ask passengers to voluntarily contribute to SAF costs when booking flights. However, since SAF cannot be guaranteed for every individual flight, this essentially funds airline investment rather than direct fuel usage. The government’s commitment to financially supporting SAF adoption is a welcome development — we look forward to seeing how this will be implemented in practice.
Private sector initiatives driving sustainability
While the government is setting new policies, private actors are also stepping up:
- TUI Group is modernizing its fleet with next-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft, reducing noise by 40% and CO₂ emissions by 15% compared to previous models. The company is fully replacing its narrow-body fleet with the latest 737 version.
- Brussels National Airport now has SAF supply infrastructure via the NATO pipeline (operational since 1st January 2023), allowing Neste (a Finnish oil products company) to supply SAF to airlines such as Brussels Airlines. TUI, in turn, has a partnership with Spanish energy company CEPSA.
- New SAF production facility in Antwerp: Austrian company OMV is planning a new installation that will convert biological waste (including used cooking oil) into sustainable aviation fuel. However, the project is awaiting permit approval before construction can begin.
The shift toward greener aviation is accelerating in Belgium, with both regulatory and industry-led efforts shaping a more sustainable future. The coming months will be crucial in translating these policies and initiatives into concrete impact.
What are your thoughts on these developments? How can governments and private companies collaborate more effectively to accelerate sustainable aviation? Let’s discuss! 🚀