In a written answer on 23 June 2026, Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen outlined the Commission's approach to bolstering EU aviation fuel preparedness and accelerating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, in response to a parliamentary question from S&D MEP Johan Danielsson. The answer signals a dual-track strategy: revising the Oil Stockholding Directive to improve crisis resilience and launching investment tools to scale up SAF capacity.
Jørgensen confirmed that the Commission has already announced a revision of the Oil Stockholding Directive under its AccelerateEU communication, aiming to address challenges exposed by the Middle East crisis. The revision will consider specific stock requirements for different oil products, adaptations for sustainable fuels, mitigation of emerging risks, and enhanced military mobility readiness. This follows the Commission's publication of guidance on 8 May 2026 to support the EU transport sector affected by reduced jet fuel supply from the Middle East.
On SAF scale-up, Jørgensen pointed to the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, unveiled on 5 November 2025, which reaffirms commitment to the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. The plan includes actions to work with Member States on a pooled joint double-sided auction for synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF), with a study launched to define auction design and governance. The Commission also launched the eSAF Early Movers Coalition in December 2025 to accelerate uptake. Enforcement of ReFuelEU Aviation obligations remains with Member States, which are responsible for imposing fines on non-compliant fuel suppliers, aircraft operators, and airport managing bodies.
The answer provides few concrete new commitments beyond the already announced revision process and investment plan. It does not propose EU-wide minimum stock requirements for aviation fuel at major airports, as Danielsson had asked, but leaves the door open for such measures through the Oil Stockholding Directive revision. The Commission's approach balances crisis preparedness with green transition goals, impacting fuel suppliers, airlines, airport operators, and EU taxpayers who may fund SAF incentives. Institutional follow-up is expected as the Commission progresses the directive revision and eSAF auction design, with further legislative proposals possible in 2027.