Building a national roadmap for the development and use of SAF

According to delegates, the draft Law on Civil Aviation (amended) should assign the Government or competent authorities to develop a national roadmap for the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is a concrete step to implement the Net Zero commitment by 2050.

On the afternoon of November 12, continuing the 10th Session, under the direction of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai, the National Assembly discussed in the Hall the draft Law on Civil Aviation (amended).

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai chaired the meeting. Photo: Pham Thang

Encourage airlines to invest in modern, fuel-efficient fleets

National Assembly Deputy Ta Dinh Thi ( Hanoi ) highly appreciated the draft Law for dedicating an article to environmental protection and for the first time in Clause 24, Article 2, the concept of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was introduced, demonstrating a vision towards sustainable development of the industry.

According to delegates, the aviation industry is a vital transportation artery, an important driving force for economic growth, global trade and tourism connections. However, it is also one of the most difficult industries to reduce emissions.

National Assembly Deputy Ta Dinh Thi (Hanoi) speaks. Photo: Ho Long

Delegates pointed out that in reality, globally, the aviation industry contributes about 2-3% of total CO2 emissions. In our country, along with economic development and increasingly improved living standards, the demand for air travel is growing at a very fast rate. This will lead to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions from this industry, putting pressure on Vietnam's commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The delegate also said that the international community has been making many important steps to green the aviation industry. These include: the carbon market mechanism CORSIA established by the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO; strong investment in sustainable aviation fuel SAF, technological innovation and operational management.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

In our country, although still young, the aviation industry has made progress such as: piloting a number of flights using mixed SAF, researching to improve the operating mechanism. However, these efforts are still fragmented and there is not a strong enough legal corridor to promote synchronization.

Delegate Ta Dinh Thi emphasized that in order to turn Vietnam's commitment to Net Zero by 2050 into concrete action, the aviation industry needs stronger and clearer steps right from the Law.

Delegates proposed that the draft Law should stipulate that the Government or competent authorities should develop a national roadmap for the development and use of SAF with a mandatory SAF blending ratio for airlines operating in Vietnam starting at a certain level after 2030.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

In addition, a comprehensive support mechanism is needed. Preferential policies on tax and land credit stipulated in Clause 6, Article 5 need to be detailed and not only for use but also for research, production, import, and development of domestic SAF supply infrastructure. This will create a stable market and encourage investors.

Delegates also suggested diversifying carbon reduction solutions. In addition to SAF, the Law should strongly encourage the application of other technologies and solutions such as: optimizing flight operations, using new generation fuel-efficient aircraft and investing in domestic carbon offset projects.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

Encourage airlines and airports to invest in modern, fuel-efficient fleets, apply advanced air traffic management technologies to shorten flight routes, reduce waiting times and use renewable energy for ground operations.

At the same time, “there needs to be a legal basis for Vietnam to proactively participate fully and effectively in mechanisms such as CORSIA, ensuring benefits for Vietnamese airlines and demonstrating national responsibility,” the delegate emphasized.

Recognize the right to “minimum care” for each flight delay threshold

Clause 2, Article 53 stipulates the responsibility to notify and take care of passengers; arrange the itinerary or refund when the fault is the airline's and pay compensation in advance when there is a delay, cancellation or refusal due to the airline's fault.

However, National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ho Chi Minh City) said that the concepts of "prolonged delay" and "advance compensation" are still qualitative, easily leading to different understandings.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ho Chi Minh City) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

Delegates proposed to consider: Add the definition of “prolonged delay” immediately after Clause 2, Article 53 according to the specific time threshold according to flight distance; Set the principle of minimum compensation in cash or equivalent documents, paid automatically within 7 days. And prohibit the deduction of any fees when refunding due to airline errors. These contents should be assigned to the Government to specify the detailed framework by distance group and update periodically.

Article 55 recognizes the right to request appropriate travel arrangements or a refund when not transported due to the airline's fault and the right to refuse the flight and continue the journey in certain cases.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Pham Thang

Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung suggested considering adding a new clause in the direction that passengers have the right to choose between: full refund of unused portion; transfer to the earliest flight of the airline or Transfer to another airline with equivalent seats without extra cost if the airline cannot arrange an alternative flight within 3 hours. At the same time, recognize the right to "minimum care" including meals, drinks, means of communication, overnight accommodation if needed, linked to each delay threshold.

Article 54 mainly lists cases of refusal of transportation due to safety, security or requests of state agencies, but in practice there are still situations of "overselling seats" leading to refusal even though the passenger has confirmed the seat.

Delegates suggested considering clarifying: separating “refusal for safety and security” from “refusal due to operational and commercial reasons”; adding a separate provision on “selling excess seats” to regulate the procedure for calling for volunteers, the minimum mandatory compensation when refusing to board an aircraft due to selling excess seats and the obligation to arrange an equivalent alternative itinerary.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Van Huy (Hung Yen) noted that the draft Law has provisions to protect consumer rights, but lacks a specific mechanism to ensure public and transparent price information and control unreasonable price increases.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Van Huy (Hung Yen) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

Circular 13 of the Ministry of Transport (formerly) stipulates the mechanism and policy for managing domestic air transport service prices and aviation specialized service prices. However, it has not mentioned specific tools and mechanisms to handle unreasonable price increases in the air transport sector such as: price ceiling framework, excessive price increase behavior, specific regulations on price registration and declaration due to cost fluctuations, etc. Therefore, delegates proposed that the draft Law should assign the Government to specify the missing content in detail.

“Only when customers' rights are specifically protected according to legal regulations, will customers' trust be strengthened, contributing to the stability and sustainable development of the market,” delegate Nguyen Van Huy emphasized.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/xay-dung-lo-trinh-quoc-gia-ve-phat-trien-va-su-dung-saf-10395391.html