Amex GBT extends SAF agreement with Shell Aviation through Avelia
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has recommitted to its collaboration with Shell Aviation on the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support growth of the Avelia SAF programme.
“Avelia’s growth is proof that corporate travel can play a pivotal role in scaling the sustainable technologies needed to address air travel emissions. Extending our SAF partnership with Shell Aviation means our customers can keep working towards their sustainability objectives while we lead the transformational change needed to decarbonize aviation,” said Paul Abbott, CEO, Amex GBT.
Developed by Shell, Accenture, the Energy Web Foundation, and Amex GBT, Avelia is a blockchain-powered platform that connects airlines and businesses globally. It aims to bridge the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF, while ensuring transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Launched as a pilot program in June 2022, Avelia has become a major player in facilitating the use of SAF in the aviation industry offering around 1m gallons of SAF.
Since then, the platform has injected over 10m gallons of SAF into the existing fuel network.
The increased volume is on account of agreements signed by more than 30 corporations and airlines to purchase environmental attributes associated with SAF totalling 49m gallons of SAF to be supplied by Shell up to 2026.
“SAF is the only scalable in-sector solution for decarbonizing aviation. At Shell Aviation, we are pleased to continue our relationship with Amex GBT through Avelia, helping to connect corporate travel demand with SAF supply. It is a great example of cross-value chain collaboration leading to the innovative platforms we need to progress the sustainable future of aviation,” said Raman Ojha, president, Shell Aviation.
Moreover, Avelia has provided SAF at more than nine airports around the world including London Heathrow, Los Angeles, and Singapore Changi.
In order to secure SAF quantities, Shell Aviation has already signed a multi-year offtake agreement for SAF with Montana Renewables.
The neat SAF produced by Montana Renewables has been used to fulfil supply agreements at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).