Belgium’s Economic Inspectorate has co-signed an open letter with 16 consumer-protection authorities worldwide warning carriers – including Brussels Airlines – that vague sustainability slogans could violate advertising law. Published on 10 March, the notice insists future marketing must be “truthful, clear and evidence-based”, banning aspirational statements such as “CO₂-neutral flight” unless fully documented. The move follows a 2025 EU media sweep that found more than 40 % of aviation climate claims potentially misleading. Although fines against 20 airlines remain under Commission review, Belgian regulators say interim guidance is needed because carriers are ramping up bio-fuel and offset promotions ahead of the 2027 EU mandate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) quotas. For global mobility programmes, stricter oversight could affect the availability and pricing of so-called *green fares* used by companies to meet ESG travel targets.
![Belgium joins international regulators in crackdown on airline ‘greenwashing’ claims]()
As companies revisit travel procurement strategies, VisaHQ can help ease the administrative burden that often accompanies international trips. Through its dedicated Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the platform streamlines visa, passport and document processing for both individual and corporate travellers, allowing mobility teams to focus on meeting new sustainability mandates rather than chasing paperwork.
Airlines may withdraw poorly-substantiated carbon-neutral bundles or raise surcharges to fund verifiable SAF purchases. Travel-management companies (TMCs) expect revised emissions calculators once new disclosure templates roll out later this year. Failure to comply risks penalties under Belgium’s Market Practices Act, up to 4 % of Belgian annual turnover. While that may seem modest, reputational damage could be severe: the Inspectorate has hinted it will publish a quarterly “naming-and-shaming” list. Corporate travel buyers should therefore audit airline sustainability claims appearing in internal booking tools to ensure they withstand regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder expectations.
As companies revisit travel procurement strategies, VisaHQ can help ease the administrative burden that often accompanies international trips. Through its dedicated Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the platform streamlines visa, passport and document processing for both individual and corporate travellers, allowing mobility teams to focus on meeting new sustainability mandates rather than chasing paperwork.
Airlines may withdraw poorly-substantiated carbon-neutral bundles or raise surcharges to fund verifiable SAF purchases. Travel-management companies (TMCs) expect revised emissions calculators once new disclosure templates roll out later this year. Failure to comply risks penalties under Belgium’s Market Practices Act, up to 4 % of Belgian annual turnover. While that may seem modest, reputational damage could be severe: the Inspectorate has hinted it will publish a quarterly “naming-and-shaming” list. Corporate travel buyers should therefore audit airline sustainability claims appearing in internal booking tools to ensure they withstand regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder expectations.
