World Fuel Services and World Energy have released a World Economic Forum (WEF) Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme designed to increase SAF availability and supply chain efficiency within the industry. The programme will be available in time for business jets travelling to the 50th annual meeting of the WEF to enable lower carbon emissions of flights departing from Jet Aviation facilities at Teterboro, Boston/Bedford or Dulles International airports to Davos, Switzerland.

Although Jet Aviation does not physically offer SAF at any of these three airports, fuel consumers at those locations can opt in and claim SAF environmental benefits. Under the programme, for each gallon of conventional fuel purchased, an equivalent amount of conventional fuel will be replaced with SAF on flights departing from Jet Aviation's Van Nuys location in California.

“In the future, this type of programme would enable low carbon SAF purchases regardless of geography,” says World Fuel vice president of business development for business aviation Darren Fuller. “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 programme 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. We are excited about expanding our collaboration with World Fuel Services to provide ever-increasing access to sustainable aviation fuel,” adds CCO Bryan Sherbacow. “This process expands access to the benefits of SAF with maximum efficiency.”

A number of business aviation organisations have commended the companies for making the programme available to Davos-bound aircraft. “The business aviation community has long been committed to sustainability and minimising 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,” says the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Coalition, which consists of EBAA, GAMA, IBAC, NATA and NBAA.

Jet Aviation senior vice president and general manager for regional operations USA David Best notes: “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 (LEED) building, we provide all customers with SAF.”

World Fuel Services and World Energy expect to work with other strategic partners to expand the programme.