• IATA Senior Vice President of External Affair, Thomas Reynaert has stated the association’s aims to raise the protection of CORSIA at the ICAO Air Transport Conference this month.
• “We must also protect CORSIA, the only globally agreed market-based measure addressing international aviation emissions,” Reynaert stated.
• “Air transport is being stress-tested as never before. Fuel prices have doubled, supply chain problems are delaying more efficient aircraft, and conflict-related diversions mean longer flights burning more fuel,” Reynaert explained.

IATA Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Thomas Reynaert, has stated the association’s aims to raise the protection of CORSIA at the ICAO Air Transport Conference this month.

“We must also protect CORSIA, the only globally agreed market-based measure addressing international aviation emissions. Working Paper 31 urges states to authorize sufficient eligible emissions units to meet demand. The mechanisms and guidance exist; the necessary authorizations must follow. Extending the EU Emissions Trading System beyond Europe would undermine this global approach. Europe should align with CORSIA, not compete with it. Climate change is global, aviation is global, and our response must be global too,” Reynaert stated.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency for aviation, adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in 2016. It was the first global market-based measure agreed by an entire industry sector to tackle climate change.

In simple terms, CORSIA sets a ceiling on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from international flights. Airlines can grow beyond that ceiling, but must make up for any emissions above it. They do this by buying and cancelling carbon credits, known as CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units, which pay for emissions reductions elsewhere. To qualify, credits must deliver reductions that are not double counted against other mechanisms and are permanent.

During the pilot phase, from 2021 to 2023, the ceiling was set at 2019 emissions. From the first phase, which began in 2024, until the scheme ends in 2035, it is set at 85 percent of 2019 emissions.

Airlines emitting more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year on international flights must report those emissions, verified by an independent third party.

Participation has so far been voluntary, with 130 states taking part as of 1st January 2026. From 2027, offsetting requirements will apply to all international flights. Certain small, landlocked and least developed states are exempt unless they choose to opt in.

Reynaert’s outline

“Air transport is being stress-tested as never before. Fuel prices have doubled, supply chain problems are delaying more efficient aircraft, and conflict-related diversions mean longer flights burning more fuel,” Reynaert explained.

“Airlines remain committed to decarbonization, but production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is disappointingly low. Recent jet fuel supply uncertainty also highlights SAF’s potential contribution to energy security. Although widespread shortages are unlikely, limited buffers leave some locations vulnerable to disruption.”

“Working Paper 30 calls for coordinated policies supporting SAF, lower-carbon aviation fuels, and other cleaner energies. A transparent, competitive global SAF market needs harmonized sustainability criteria and certification requirements. Purchase-based accounting, supported by a solidly founded registry such as CADO’s SAF Registry, is also essential to making SAF accessible across global markets,” Reynaert continued.

“In a fragmenting world, ICAO brings governments and industry together not simply to debate priorities, but to agree global standards and policies. That is multilateralism with practical purpose. The Air Transport Conference should aim to reinforce aviation’s ability to connect people, support economic development, and build resilience. That is how, together, we can expand connectivity’s benefits for everyone.”

The post CORSIA protection must be a key topic at ICAO Air Transport Conference appeared first on Air Cargo Week.