Airlines can now lock in prices for CORSIA-eligible carbon credits and defer payments until December 2027. This new mechanism, launched via the IATA Aviation Carbon Exchange and backed by Mercuria, aims to reduce immediate cash flow pressure on carriers facing volatile carbon markets. The tool allows airlines to secure emissions units in escrow today, providing price certainty while managing balance sheets during periods of fuel cost inflation. While the move improves liquidity, critics argue that financial engineering does not address the core issue of carbon credit integrity.
