Jet2 Appointed To The Jet Zero Council, To Lead The Way For Sustainable Aviation In The North And Beyond

The UK’s third largest airline and leading tour operator to many leisure destinations across the Mediterranean and Canary Islands has been appointed to the Jet Zero Council, the Government’s delivery group for sustainable aviation
The appointment follows their sustainability strategy launch and work with the Government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Delivery Group
Jet2 intends to use the appointment to call for reform of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and further investment into the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)

Jet2 has been appointed by the Government to join the Jet Zero Council, the partnership body between industry and government to deliver decarbonisation in the aviation sector, as part of the launch of the Jet Zero Strategy.

The appointment comes after Jet2 initiated its sustainability strategy in January 2022, where it launched one of the world’s largest airline offsetting schemes, pledged to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2026, and committed to spend billions on up to 75 new, more efficient, Airbus A321neo aircraft which deliver an estimated 20% C02 emissions reduction per seat against previous models.

Headquartered in Leeds with more than 9,000 people employed across the UK, Jet2.com is one of the only major airlines headquartered in the North, with ten UK bases in operation (Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted). The appointment brings greater regional representation to the Council and will see Jet2 among those leading the development of sustainable aviation in the North.

The industry body Sustainable Aviation estimates that a UK sustainable aviation fuels industry could deliver 20,000 jobs in industrial heartlands, and £3bn in revenue (Gross Added Value) for the economy, which Jet2 believes provides the opportunity to accelerate ‘Levelling Up’ and address regional disparities in the UK.

As part of the Council, Jet2 will seek to ask the Government to show greater transparency on where the money collected as part of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is spent, including calling for revenue to be put specifically towards decarbonisation policies. The EU, as part of its Fit for 55 package, has already committed to spending its ETS revenue on green policies. The UK gained its own ETS revenue after it exited the European Union and Jet2 believes it is right to follow suit.

In particular, Jet2 will work towards both delivering and calling for greater investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuels. This includes price stability mechanisms and investment that matches European and US commitments – the US has invested $4.3 billion in SAF compared to the UK’s £180 million. This will increase uptake across the industry and turbocharge the potential for SAF to drive job creation, ensuring the UK does not fall behind. Just one year of contributions by five UK airlines to the UK ETS scheme (estimated to be £290m in 2022 based on current market prices) covers the cost of the Government’s existing pledge on SAF. In order to meet the 10% aim mentioned in the Jet Zero Industry Charter clear government policy and funding support will be required.