World Energy, World Fuel Services to increase availability of sustainable aviation fuel

World Energy and World Fuel Services have launched a World Economic Forum (WEF) Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme designed to increase SAF availability and supply chain efficiency within the aviation industry.

The programme will be available for business jets travelling to the WEF 50^th annual meeting, enabling lower carbon emissions on all flights departing from Jet Aviation’s facilities at Teterboro (TEB), Boston/Bedford (BED) or Dulles International (IAD) to Davos in Switzerland for the event in January.

While Jet Aviation does not offer SAF at the three airports, the WEF SAF programme allows fuel consumers at these locations to opt-in and claim SAF environmental benefits. Under the programme, for each gallon of conventional fuel purchased at TEB, BED or IAD, an equivalent amount of conventional fuel will be replaced with SAF on flights departing from Jet Aviation’s Van Nuys (VNY) airport in California.

“In the future, this type of programme would enable low-carbon SAF purchases regardless of geography,” said Darren Fuller, vice-president of business development for business aviation at World Fuel Services. “Our customers that want to participate are spread all over the world, and unfortunately the supply of SAF is not yet broad-based.

“This innovative program will optimise and align new demand with limited supply while supporting the industry’s sustainability goals. Our continued commitment to sustainability demands innovation to make SAF more cost-effective and accessible to a wider audience of FBOs and flight departments.”

“World Energy is on a mission to expand access to new and innovative ways to drive change toward a lower-carbon future,” added Bryan Sherbacow, COO of World Energy. “We are excited about expanding our collaboration with World Fuel Services to provide ever-increasing access to sustainable aviation fuel. This process expands access to the benefits of SAF with maximum efficiency.”

Industry reaction

The move has been welcomes by numerous business aviation organisations; leaders of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Coalition noted: “The business aviation community has long been committed to sustainability and minimizing the industry's carbon footprint. While we continue working to make SAF as widely available as possible, this important, new market-based initiative will demonstrate demand for the fuels, and provide a way of promoting supply and use that matches the need.

Members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Coalition include the European Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the International Business Aviation Council, the National Air Transportation Association and the National Business Aviation Association.

David Best, senior vice-president and general manager for Jet Aviation’s US regional operations, added: “Jet Aviation is very pleased to support sustainable solutions in the US. We are particularly proud of our leading position in Van Nuys, where, in addition to our investment in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building, we provide all customers with SAF. Our goal is to help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint by exploring all viable solutions and working in partnership to offer customers a choice.”

World Fuel Services and World Energy will continue to work with strategic partners to expand the SAF programme to address the increasing demand for cleaner-burning, low-carbon aviation fuels.