EASA and IATA Announce Collaboration Regarding Air Travel Emissions Calculations

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have announced a landmark collaboration to strengthen transparency and consistency in air travel emissions calculations.

Key Highlights
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Brussels/Geneva (Nov 2025).
- Focus: Aligning the EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL) with IATA’s EcoHub and CO2 Connect systems.
- Goal: Provide passengers with trustworthy, consistent CO₂ emissions data at the time of booking.

What This Means
Flight Emissions Label (FEL)
- Introduced by the EU in 2024 under EASA’s responsibility.
- Creates a harmonized framework for airlines to display emissions data transparently.
- Applies to both EU and non-EU airlines under Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 “ReFuelEU Aviation.”

IATA EcoHub & CO2 Connect
- EcoHub: A comprehensive sustainability data management and compliance platform.
- CO2 Connect: Collects operational data from over 90 airlines to calculate emissions performance.
- Kenya Airways is among the latest carriers to join CO2 Connect.

Benefits of Collaboration
- Streamlined processes for airlines to join FEL.
- Reduced administrative burden and long-term cost savings.
- Improved confidence in emissions data for passengers making booking decisions.

Industry Significance
- Strengthens regulatory compliance and customer trust in sustainable aviation.
- Encourages airlines worldwide to adopt transparent emissions reporting.
- Supports the EU’s broader climate goals and aviation sector accountability.

In short: This partnership bridges regulation and industry practice, ensuring passengers can make informed, eco-conscious travel choices while airlines benefit from efficiency and credibility.