Brussels/Geneva – The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore synergies between the European Union Flight Emissions Label and IATA’s existing environmental data management ecosystem–IATA’s EcoHub and the IATA CO2 Connect calculator.

The goal is to streamline processes across the industry to make CO2 emissions data visible and consistent for passengers at the time of booking their flights. The Flight Emissions Label stems from a regulation launched by the European Union in 2024, under the responsibility of EASA. This provides a trustworthy framework for airlines to share flight emissions data with passengers transparently. The EcoHub by IATA is a comprehensive system for airline sustainability data management, reporting, and compliance. Alongside this, IATA CO2 Connect collects airline operational data and calculates the CO2 performance of the flights, similar to the data required for the issuance of the Flight Emissions Label.

With this Memorandum of Understanding, EASA and IATA aim to explore participation in the Flight Emissions Label by aligning processes for label issuance use cases for airlines in a cost-effective way.

Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA, said: “This partnership with IATA, the world’s largest airlines’ association, will make it easier for airlines to join the Flight Emissions Label. 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.”

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, said: “Regulatory compliance and customer demands for transparent emissions information must be met with the highest standards. Providing accurate emissions data is crucial for informed decision-making and for maintaining confidence in the sustainability of air transport. IATA’s EcoHub and our access to extensive sustainability data will give airlines an easier way to be part of the Flight Emissions Label, and confidence that the very best data will be utilized. Our collaboration with EASA will focus on enabling an efficient and harmonized exchange of data, reducing administrative burdens, and achieving long-term cost savings for all stakeholders.”

The signing took place at IATA’s Wings of Change Europe, on 18-19 November 2025, in Brussels.

Background Information

The Regulation that put the Flight Emissions Label (FEL) in place was adopted in December 2024 by the European Commission and aims to empower passengers with information on flight-related emissions, allowing them to make informed decisions when booking and comparing flights. The label will also increase accountability within the aviation sector by establishing a harmonized emissions calculation methodology, data reporting, and emissions display for all airlines in the European Union. Building on a fully digitalized process, FEL will also reduce the administrative burden for the sector.

The FEL provides a trustworthy framework for airlines to share flight emissions data with passengers. Airlines from both EU and non-EU countries, covered under the scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 “ReFuelEU Aviation”, can voluntarily join the FEL. Only those airlines that have joined are allowed to display emissions to their passengers in the European Union, in accordance with Article 6(5) of the Regulation. The European Commission and EASA encourage airlines to join the FEL if they want to display flight emissions and use these estimates when, for example, offering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or other emissions offsets to passengers.

IATA EcoHub and CO2 Connect

IATA manages the EcoHub and IATA CO2 Connect, a carbon emissions calculator for both passenger and air cargo based on primary airline data collected from more than 90 airlines. The collaboration with EASA will explore how leveraging these tools can create efficiencies for synergies with the EU Flight Emissions Label, ensuring consistency and transparency across the industry. Airlines are continuously joining CO2 Connect, increasing its effectiveness and the quality of its data, with Kenya Airways the latest to sign up. 

Source: IATA