Initiative Launched to Encourage Adoption of Sustainable Jet Fuels by Business Aviation

(GreenAir Online) The business aviation sector has come together to raise awareness and encourage adoption by business aircraft owners, operators and fuel suppliers of sustainable alternative jet fuels (SJAF). At the centre of the initiative is a guide to explain and promote the benefits of such fuels that has been put together by a coalition of the sector’s trade associations. It was released this week at the EBACE event in Geneva when industry leaders signed a commitment to redouble efforts to reduce their sector’s environmental footprint and in particular to focus on SJAF development and uptake. The ‘Business Aviation Guide to the Use of Sustainable Aviation Jet Fuel’ explains the science behind the fuels, why they are safe to use in business jets and why operators should adopt them.

He (David Coleal, President of Bombardier Business Aircraft and head of the environment committee of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)) said SAJF would be an important factor in reaching the aviation industry’s goal of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 but acknowledged that as well as opportunities, there were hurdles to overcome. “Limited production, lack of awareness, infrastructure challenges and the economics have combined to impede the widespread adoption of this fuel,” he said.

“We recognise there is more work to do ahead and in the coming months we will ‘walk the talk’,” he added and said pilot programmes would take place to demonstrate the viability of alternative fuels at selected business aviation airports.

“The sooner we can get moving on new technologies like SAJF, the sooner we can move off carbon offsetting,” he (Ed Bolen, President of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)) said. READ MORE