California, Airlines for America team up for SAF
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Airlines for America (A4A) announced a partnership setting a goal of increasing SAF availability within California to 200m gallons by 2035.
This ambitious target represents a tenfold increase from current levels and would cover approximately 40% of intrastate travel demand.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “California and the aviation industry are joining forces to tackle emissions head-on. We’ve put the tools in place to incentivise cleaner fuels and spur innovation, creating opportunities like this to radically change how Californians can travel cleaner.”
To achieve these targets, the partnership will identify and prioritise policies and incentives that accelerate SAF development and use.
Additionally, a SAF Working Group will be established to monitor progress and address challenges. Finally, a public website will be created to provide information on SAF availability and use in California.
CARB Chair Liane Randolph emphasised the importance of industry collaboration, saying, “this partnership with the nation’s leading airlines brings the aviation industry onboard to advance a clean air future and will help accelerate development of sustainable fuel options and promote cleaner air travel within the state.”
Kevin Welsh, Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer at Airlines for America, highlighted the industry’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “A4A is pleased to launch a partnership with CARB focused on protecting the environment, reducing emissions, and increasing the use of SAF in California and across the country.”
“SAF is the best-known lever we have to decarbonise aviation, and with around 90% of Delta’s carbon emissions coming from jet fuel, we need as much SAF as we can get,” said Delta Airlines in a statement.
Airlines for America represents leading US-based airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, jetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and UPS.