This year’s NBAA Convention is certainly to go down in history as the one in which the sustainable fuel initiative was highlighted with a number of valuable panel discussions and presentations designed to educate visitors on our industry’s commitment to help leave the planet Earth better off than when humans first walked upon it. The problem is actually simple; we still pull hydrocarbons out of the ground created by fossil fuels to power our vehicles, energy that eventually adds to the carbon emissions problem facing everyone. The question is whether or not the world can develop a fuel with the same hydrocarbon balance as fossil fuel, but one that will also not pollute the atmosphere with the byproducts. Aviation experts believe the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
In its effort to attack the problem, Air BP highlighted how solid waste from homes and businesses, such as packaging, paper, textiles, and food scraps (including bananas) that would otherwise go to a landfill or incineration, can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) a product that when mixed with traditional Jet A, will significantly reduce carbon emissions. A group—the [sustainable fuel coalition] (www.futureofsustainablefuel.com) has already been created by GAMA, IBAC, NATA and NBAA—to focus the attention of the public on the issue
Derived from non-palm renewable and sustainable raw materials, the fuel is made by leading fuels producer, Neste, and supplied by Air BP. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent over its life cycle compared with conventional jet fuel. Air BP signed a collaboration agreement with Neste in October 2018 to explore opportunities to increase the supply and availability of SAF for airline customers.
In 2016 Air BP also created a strategic partnership with Fulcrum BioEnergy with an initial investment of $30 million. The California company is building its first plant in Reno, Nevada, which will produce sustainable transport fuel made from household waste. Fulcrum intends to construct additional facilities and ultimately, plans to supply Air BP with over 50 million U.S. gallons of SAF per year.
Air BP has supplied its BP Biojet-branded SAF to commercial airline customers at more than 15 airport locations, including at the Oslo airport in Norway, where it was the first to supply SAF through the existing airport fueling infrastructure. In 2018, Bombardier’s demonstration fleet was refueled with BP Biojet at Stockholm Arlanda airport en route to EBACE, and Air BP has also supplied airlines on an ad-hoc basis at airports including Stockholm Bromma (BMA/ESSB), Karlstad (KSD/ESOK) and Göteborg Landvetter (GOT/ESGG).
AirBP has also taken to the airwaves with TV commercials aimed at educating consumers about the company’s sustainability efforts. Most SAF advocates believe educating consumers is one of the biggest hurdles the movement faces.
