The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have formalized a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at streamlining how airlines calculate and share carbon emissions data with passengers.
The accord brings together EASA’s Flight Emissions Label (FEL) program, required by European Union (EU) regulation, with IATA’s data platforms including EcoHub and CO2 Connect.
Under the agreement, the two bodies will work to align the emissions calculation and reporting procedures used by airlines so passengers see consistent, reliable carbon dioxide (CO2) information at the time of booking.
Regulation (EU) 2023/2405, stemming from a December 2024 mandate, allows airlines to display emissions only if they comply with standardized methodology and data processes.
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Florian Guillermet, EASA’s executive director, said the partnership with IATA is expected to make it easier for airlines to participate in the FEL program.
“The more airlines we have on board, the better the overall information for air passengers, allowing them to make informed choices when they book their flights,” he added.
Willie Walsh, CEO of IATA, noted that accurate emissions data is vital for informed decision-making and sustaining trust in aviation’s sustainability efforts.
The agreement targets mid-term integration of IATA’s EcoHub operational data platform and the CO2 Connect calculator, which tracks airline emissions for passengers and cargo, with the EU label scheme, enabling both EU-based and non-EU carriers to align with the same framework in a cost-efficient way.
The deal could reduce administrative burdens for airlines navigating multiple reporting regimes and help scale transparency across global aviation markets.
The real test will come as more carriers adopt the label and digital systems, and whether divergent data practices outside Europe can be fully harmonized.
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