Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Aviation sustainability support group Azzera has added a new module to its Celeste platform allowing private and commercial aircraft operators to comply with the European Union’s ReFuelEU sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate. The added feature helps clients respond to the specific ReFuelEU monitoring and reporting requirements so that they can demonstrate their SAF usage, track how it was sourced, provide necessary certificates, and manage fuel stocks.
Celeste was developed to help aircraft owners and operators calculate the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-05-27/software-aims-make-carbon-reduction-transparent-and">carbon footprint</a> for each flight and implement mitigating measures including carbon offset purchases, as well as SAF usage, whether the fuel is directly uploaded to a specific aircraft or purchased via a book-and-claim arrangement. Swiss-based Azzera aims to help clients, whether they are voluntarily reducing the environmental impact of flights or complying with mandates that also include ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
One of the main features of the new ReFuelEU module is that it automatically generates compliance reports, which Azzera said will reduce the administrative burden. Operators can track their compliance in real-time via a live dashboard that highlights and mitigates any noncompliance with requirements throughout the year to avoid incurring penalties.
Among the ReFuelEU compliance requirements is a mandate intended to discourage operators from arriving at EU airports with more fuel than is required for the outbound trip with the specific intention of avoiding fuel purchases in Europe. The rule has been in force since January 1, with initial reports required from March 1.
“The regulation brings significant changes that require operators to adapt quickly, address logistical hurdles, and incorporate new practices into their operations,” said Puja Mahajan, founder and CEO of Azzera. “Compliance with ReFuelEU is complex and any exemption requests need to be properly justified.”
Under the so-called anti-tankering rule, operators conducting 500 or more flights from EU airports each year have to prove that they uplifted at least 90% of their required fuel at those locations or pay penalties amounting to twice the cost of the fuel. Supposedly, the rule is intended to reduce emissions resulting from excess fuel weight.
<meta charset="UTF-8">"ReFuelEU requires ongoing monitoring throughout the year in order to comply with the anti-tankering requirements and avoid penalties," Mahajan explained. "This is made possible with Azzera's Celeste and its ReFuelEU Dashboard, where non-compliances are flagged for operators to rectify them before the end of the reporting year. Celeste identifies [European] Union airports, collects planned fuel data, as well as post-flight fuel data from relevant arrival and departure flights, and aggregates this information in the comprehensive dashboard. At any point in time, operators can assess if they are at risk of penalties due to economic tankering, or if they can justify their lower than required uplift with the so-called safety fuel.”
Azzera is committed to staying on top of changes to regulations and market conditions so that operators aren’t overly burdened with having all the required compliance information. “This is why our new module is so effective,” Mahajan added. “Aviation operators do not need to reinvent the wheel and create their own compliance and sustainability solution. They can focus on their core business and let us do the rest.”
According to Azzera, during 2024, Celeste helped clients mitigate more than 100,000 tons of carbon emissions. Customers can access the new ReFuelEU tool through their subscription to the platform, which is already integrated with flight scheduling systems including Skylegs, Leon, Aims, and Vmo, with FL3XX to be added soon.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Azzera Adds ReFuelEU Tool to Celeste Aviation Sustainability Platform

Module helps operators to comply with demanding European Union carbon requirements

Azzera’s Celeste platform now includes a tool to help aircraft operators comply with requirements for the ReFuelEU rules on reporting and mitigating emissions.

Azzera Adds ReFuelEU Tool to Sustainability Platform

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Airbus paid for and Avfuel supplied the sustainable aviation fuel for the helicopter fly-in

Helicopters Powered by SAF Descend on Dallas for Verticon

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The measure on multi-cropping was approved at last week’s 13th triennial environment meeting

U.S. Objects to ICAO SAF Land-use Recommendation

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Altitude changes have reduced climate impact by at least 40%

Regional Airline and Thales Reduce Contrail Emissions

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Energy Capturing Pods are installed close to engine ground run locations

Airfoils Generate Electricity from Jet Thrust at Airports

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Environment

Helicopters Powered by SAF Descend on Dallas for Verticon

Airbus paid for and Avfuel supplied the sustainable aviation fuel for the helicopter fly-in

U.S. Objects to ICAO SAF Land-use Recommendation

The measure on multi-cropping was approved at last week’s 13th triennial environment meeting

Regional Airline and Thales Reduce Contrail Emissions

Altitude changes have reduced climate impact by at least 40%

Airfoils Generate Electricity from Jet Thrust at Airports

Energy Capturing Pods are installed close to engine ground run locations

Air Mobility Center of Excellence To Host Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race

Race will be held in October at Ohio’s Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport

European Aviation Groups Demand Net-zero Policy Progress

Update to Destination 2050 Net Zero report includes new policy demands for European Commission

Avfuel Brings SAF to Northeast U.S. Via New Jersey

Vermont’s Heritage Aviation is the first customer to sign on

Embraer Hopes for Bright Skies Ahead with Solar Installation

Company aims for renewable energy at all sites by 2030

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN