EBAA applauds General Court judgment annulling Taxonomy provision against business aviation

Brussels, 24 June 2026. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) welcomes the judgment of the General Court annulling Section 3.21 of the Climate Delegated Act, which had excluded the manufacture of business aviation aircraft from the scope of the EU Taxonomy.

EBAA intervened in support of Dassault Aviation and Daher as an act in defense of its membership against a decision that excluded the manufacturing of business aircraft from the Taxonomy despite clear evidence that the sector is at the forefront of technological innovation aimed at reducing its carbon footprint.

The Court’s judgment marks a significant and welcome development. In doing so, it restores a more evidence-based and technology-neutral approach to sustainable finance rules.

In its reasoning, the Court found in particular, that the Commission had not demonstrated that other transport modes necessarily constituted credible low-carbon alternatives to business aviation in all cases. The Court also noted that the criterion relied on by the Commission related to the operation of aircraft rather than their manufacture. More broadly, the judgment underlines that sustainable finance rules must remain evidence-based, proportionate and aligned with the actual characteristics of the activity being regulated.

Business aviation has long been a driver of innovation in aviation, including through the development of more efficient aircraft, advanced materials, aerodynamic improvements and lower-emission propulsion pathways. Business aviation operators are also contributing to the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel within the framework of European legislation, including ReFuelEU Aviation. The sector therefore has an important role to play in fostering a more sustainable aviation system in Europe.

EBAA believes this judgment sends an important signal that EU legislation must properly reflect the contribution that business aviation makes to European connectivity, innovation and industrial competitiveness.