Iberia has carried out several demonstration flights with SAF, both in the domestic market (in 2011, the first flight with biofuel in Spain and in November 2021, the Madrid-Bilbao route, with biofuel produced in Spain, from waste not suitable for human consumption) and on long-haul flights (to Dallas, Washington and San Francisco, in June 2022).
Fuels eligible for RCDE (FEETS) support
In March 2025, Iberia and Iberia Express applied for the EU SAF support mechanism available under the EU ETS through
the FEETS Regulation. This support mechanism aims to promote the uptake of SAF by granting EU ETS
emission allowances to airlines for the use of SAF on eligible routes within the scheme. The allowances
help bridge the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF on flights covered by EU ETS carbon
pricing.
During 2024, Iberia uplifted more than 3918 tonnes of SAF, of which 508,96 tonnes qualified
for EU ETS support. Based on this volume, Iberia was awarded 7201 ETS emissions allowances in
September 2025, of which volumes were credited to each airline’s EU ETS registry account. Based on the
2024 weighted average price of auctions carried out in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU)
2023/2830, as published on the common auction platform (€64.74 per allowance), this equated to a
financial support of € 466.192,74 .
Iberia Express uplifted in 2024 more than 7.200 tonnes of SAF, where all qualified
for EU ETS support. Based on this volume, Iberia Express was awarded 118.066 ETS emissions allowances in
September 2025, of which volumes were credited to each airline’s EU ETS registry account. Based on the
2024 weighted average price of auctions carried out in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU)
2023/2830, as published on the common auction platform (€64.74 per allowance), this equated to a
financial support of € 7.643.593.
Refer to the consolidated financial statements for financial accounting of EU ETS allowances.
Due to the retrospective nature of this programme, Iberia and Iberia Express will receive confirmation of EU ETS
allowances awarded for SAF volumes uplifted in 2025 as part of their 2026 EU ETS compliance cycle.
