Over 20 European consumer organizations, including Belgium's Testaankoop, have come together to file a complaint against several airlines, alleging "misleading greenwashing claims." Among
the targeted airlines is Brussels Airlines, which offers passengers the option to pay extra to "neutralize" the CO2 emissions of their flights. The complainants demand refunds for the money paid.
The complaint will be submitted to the European Commission and the network of national consumer authorities known as CPC. It targets 17 airlines, including prominent players such as the Lufthansa Group (which includes Brussels Airlines), Air France, KLM, and Ryanair.
Consumer organizations argue that these airlines engage in "unfair commercial practices" by making claims of flying "green" or "sustainably." Some airlines allow passengers to offset or neutralize the CO2 emissions of their flights or contribute to the development of "sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF). However, the consumer organizations denounce these strategies, stating that "none of the strategies employed by the airline industry can prevent greenhouse gas emissions."
The consumer organizations particularly highlight the issue of "green fares" where passengers pay an additional fee to fly in a supposedly more sustainable manner. They argue that the money paid for such fares should be refunded. Brussels Airlines is cited as an example of an airline offering "green fares" where passengers can pay extra to "neutralize the CO2 emissions of their flight and fly more sustainably," according to the airline's website.
Testaankoop spokesperson Laura Clays emphasizes that regardless of whether passengers pay for "green fares" or not, flights still emit climate-harming gases. She expresses the need for airlines to stop creating the impression that passengers are choosing a sustainable mode of transport since decarbonizing aviation through technological solutions is not yet a widespread reality. The Belgian consumer organization has also reached out to the economic inspectorate regarding this matter.
Brussels Airlines made headlines earlier this year when one of its passenger jets was fueled with biokerosene for the first time. Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist hailed it as an "important milestone" for the airport, emphasizing their commitment to making sustainable fuels available. Brussels Airlines CEO Peter Gerber also emphasized the significance of sustainable jet fuel in reducing air travel emissions, stating that it is the most effective tool currently available alongside fleet renewal. Brussels Airport aims to have biokerosene account for 5% of total imports by 2026, with Brussels Airlines as its home carrier. Photo by Sébastien Aperghis-Tramoni from Antibes, France, Wikimedia commons.