The Allplane Podcast #141: ETS, CORSIA and SAF with IATA’s Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen
Marie Owens Thomsen, Chief Economist and SVP Sustainability at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has emerged as one of the most outspoken voices in the aviation decarbonization debate.
In fact, the timing of this conversation could hardly be more fitting: on 17 July 2026, the European Commission published its long-awaited proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System.
This proposal envisages and extension of the current ETS to include international flights arriving in Europe from destinations within 5,000 km starting in 2029, alongside other measuress concerning SAF uptake, contrail-related non-CO2 effects and private jets.
I must say that our conversation with Marie preceded the publication of this new ETS proposal by a few weeks, so, some of its elements may require a revised assessment. However, I think most of what we talk about remains current in broad terms.
Is the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) fit for purpose? Are the EU's current sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates fit for purpose? Are airlines carrying a fair share of the decarbonization cost burden?
These are some of the questions Marie addresses regularly at industry conferences, and that we discuss in depth in today's episode. As a preview: while agreeing with the Net Zero 2050 goal, Marie - and IATA for that matter - believes the current regulatory framework in Europe is badly designed and fails to account for the dynamics of both the aviation and energy industries.
True, IATA is not an impartial actor in this discussion, as it obviously represents the interests of its member airlines.
But as the main target of these regulations, airlines are certainly entitled to have their voice heard, if only because, with an average profit margin that has never exceeded the low single digits, any poorly designed regulation can seriously damage an industry that is, after all, one of the pillars of global economic growth and an and an enabler of trade, tourism, human connection, and all sort of other opportunities.
IATA has made its case with figures and studies, yet it's often Marie's sharp commentary that often drives IATA’s point home.
It is illustrative that this conversation was, in fact, originally planned to last around 45 minutes, but the topic has so many consequential angles that we ended up talking for considerably longer, discussing what could realistically be done to ensure the airline industry meets its environmental commitments without putting its future in jeopardy.
So tune in for a fascinating conversation about sustainability, environmental regulation and what these mean for airlines with IATA's Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen!
Things we talk about in this episode
Marie’s professional background
Will be airline industry fulfill its Net Zero 2050 pledge?
Are SAF mandates realistic?
IATA’s position when it comes to the EU’s SAF mandates
Is CORSIA being undermined and how relevant it still is?
What should regulators do to increase SAF usage
Resources
How does the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) work
The EU’s ETS update proposal, as presented on 17th July 2026
How does ICAO’s CORSIA work?
Willie Walsh comments during the 82nd IATA AGM criticizing the current regulatory framework
Marie’s and Willie Walsh’ comments about the EU’s SAF mandates in December 2025
Our 2023 podcast episode with Hemant Mistry, Director of Energy Transition at IATA
Podcast Music: Five Armies by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3762-five-armies
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Interview Transcript:
(please note that, although we strive to make it as close as possible to the original recording, the transcript may not be 100% accurate)
