During the Corporate Jet Investor event held in London during February 2023, a number of sustainability goals were discussed.

One of the central themes was that of alternative fuels for business jets. It is hoped that available alternatives might provide a workable and environmentally friendly solution to traditional, fossil-based, jet fuels.

What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?

The aviation industry has always been at the forefront of development. It has seen considerable growth over the last few years. This growth was particularly marked during COVID, when travel became impossible due to commercial lines being grounded. Naturally, this raised concerns about the increased carbon footprint of this high-powered industry. Now every industry is talking about sustainability and lower carbon emissions, whether road vehicles, yachts, ships or aircraft. Business aviation is not immune to this global pressure.

SAF is a next-generation fuel which is made from renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil or other agricultural products or waste. Compared to jet fossil-fuel, SAF claims to be able to reduce carbon emissions by 80%. Since it’s chemically similar to jet fuel, SAF can be used as a direct replacement, although it is much more expensive. SAF is highly compatible with jet fuel. There is no requirement for the aircraft owner or operator to invest in additional system capabilities, or to adapt the aircraft in order to use SAF as it can be added to traditional fuel.

SAF has been in use since 2016 but recently industry stakeholders have further promoted its use. Customers have become more savvy around the need to limit emissions and to neutralise their carbon footprint.

Lending companies and financiers are now requesting that an element of sustainability is worked into the business plan of the financier. Today, servicing companies, aircraft operating companies and brokers all play an important role in promoting the use of SAF.

SAF remains extremely expensive, which means that only a small percentage of SAF fuel is used. This illustrates the need for it to be sourced in a manner that is feasible, making it more attainable for wider aircraft use.
Over 580 professionals at the conference agreed that SAF will see an increase in use and that the entire industry has a key role to play in ensuring that the use of SAF becomes the norm in the future.

While discussing SAF, sustainability and aviation, environmental protestors entered the room, accusing business jet operators of causing unacceptable levels of pollution. They claimed that there is a high number of emissions in proportion to the small number of passengers.

In a recent incident at Sciphol airport, hundreds of climate activists descended on the private jet section, preventing aircraft from departing by sitting in front of their wheels. It is claimed that at least one of the flights delayed was a medical flight. The organisations involved (Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion) claimed that they were protesting the aviation industry’s pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as local noise pollution.

From the business aviation community perspective, while the industry itself accounts for less than 0.4% of world emissions, there’s no denying that it is a culprit. The industry and its stakeholders are thoroughly engaged in the neutralisation of carbon emissions. Across the board, there appears to be a commitment towards more sustainable technologies, lighter materials and research to continue to reduce carbon emissions.

Business aviation (bizav) generates a large number of jobs, and is a high contributor to the GDP of any economy. The industry itself promotes the mobility of important resources (e.g. medical flights), and has helped world connectivity when commercial aviation (airlines) were unable to provide services. Bizav remains at the forefront of the development and promotion of SAF and SAF technologies.

At Acumum, we commend sustainable projects and sustainability as part of our corporate social responsibility, and we are happy to service clients and counterparts in bizav which have sustainable goals.