The AUA will have to refrain from advertising CO2-neutral flights in the future. This is evident from a ruling by the Korneuburg court following a lawsuit by the Association for Consumer Information (VKI). The background: The airline had announced a CO2-neutral connection to Venice. According to VKI, the court ruled that the information was misleading, because although sustainable aviation fuel had been added, the information did not correspond to reality.
In concrete terms, the AUA advertised on Twitter and on its homepage with the text “Flying to the Biennale CO2 neutral? No art for us! 100% SAFE”. This was supplemented with the passage: “Because together with Vienna Airport and Venezia Airport we bring you to the Biennale Arte in Venice with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
So-called Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are aviation fuels that are produced without the use of fossil fuels such as crude oil or natural gas. Currently, SAF is mainly produced from organic residual flows such as used cooking oil. It is mixed with conventional kerosene, which should still make up at least half of the mixture.
Addition of eco fuel only at 5%
Customers of the airline could even book the sustainability option with SAF at an additional cost of 50 percent on the flight ticket. However, the advertising message did not convey a clear image. According to the VKI, the maximum share of SAF in fossil kerosene is currently five percent. “It is currently not technically possible to carry out CO2-neutral flights with 100 percent SAF,” explains VKI lawyer Barbara Bauer.
The AUA will take the already legally binding judgment into account in current and future advertising, it said in a statement. “Austrian Airlines notes the ruling of the Korneuburg Regional Court and welcomes the fact that efforts to reduce CO2 emissions are positively highlighted. Communication about existing options for more sustainable air traffic is necessary to achieve the set CO2 reduction targets. Austrian Airlines always wants to communicate transparently and understandably.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
