The Oneworld Alliance announced an agreement with Gevo to source up to 200 million gallons (about 750 million liters) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) per year.
Colorado-based Gevo and Oneworld members Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways agreed to source SAF for their major California operations. This includes San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles International Airports.
As part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality, the Oneworld alliance committed that by 2030, 10% of its flights will be operated using UAS. To achieve this, the alliance’s Environment and Sustainability Council, chaired by IAG’s Head of Sustainability Jonathon Counsell, is negotiating contracts with a number of different UAS suppliers. For example, in November 2021, it announced the purchase of more than 350 million gallons for operations in San Francisco. This made the alliance the first in the world to enter into such an agreement.
Gevo fuel will be produced using corn derivatives. After being processed to create ethanol, it will subsequently be converted into PBS. All production will take place at three facilities in the Midwestern United States. The entire supply chain will be certified by the Sustainable Biomaterials Board (RSB). Operations with SAF should begin in 2027.
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Qatar Airways CEO and Oneworld Chairman Akbar Al Baker said, «As the aviation sector continues to face new challenges, today’s announcement underscores the positive outcome that comes with multilateral collaboration among industry players. Also, it reaffirms our alliance’s leadership in supporting aviation’s ambitious decarbonization goals.» Patrick R. Gruber, CEO of Gevo, added: «When airlines demonstrate that they understand the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, real change in the industry will begin. I am pleased to welcome Oneworld to our operation.»
SAF operations require no changes to aircraft or airport infrastructure. Thus this turns into an immediately viable solution for reducing the industry’s carbon emissions, pending next-generation advances such as electric aircraft or hydrogen propulsion. While PAS is not available on a large scale, agreements such as this one – obviously always supported by legislation and investment – should help mass adoption of this fuel.
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