Three leading aviation companies, Signature Flight Support, Neste, and NetJets, have joined forces to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for private aviation operators at San Francisco and London-Luton airports.
It’s part of what Signature calls ‘Signature Renew’, a company-wide global sustainability initiative to innovate and invigorate the journey toward net-zero carbon emissions.
Neste, a leading producer of renewable products, has agreed in principle to supply Signature Renew with 5m gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
SAF gallons purchased via Signature SFO will take advantage of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) tax incentive, while at London-Luton operators can reduce carbon offsetting needs for the EU ETS.
Prior to use, the SAF is blended with fossil jet fuel and verified to meet ASTM jet fuel specification. In its neat form and over the lifecycle, SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Once blended at a 35% ratio, Signature anticipates more than a 25% reduction in direct net lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft using the SFO and LTN SAF blends.
“Signature is undertaking a momentous step that enables the wide-scale adoption of SAF,” said Tony Lefebvre, Chief Operating Officer for Signature.
“Prior to establishing a permanent supply of SAF, FBOs have only been able to provide a few thousand gallons at one time – typically by request of an individual aircraft operator or for a one-off event.
“Signature is committing to having SAF available for uplift in San Francisco in the next few weeks, culminating in the world’s first 100 percent sustainably supplied FBO in Q1 2021.”
Neste says it will have the capacity to produce 1.5 million tonnes (515 million gallons) of SAF annually by 2023. Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue materials – such as used cooking oil. It is a ‘drop-in’ fuel that offers an immediate way to reduce the direct greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, requiring no new investments, modifications, or changes to procedures.
“Together, we are taking a big step forward in providing passengers with a way to reduce their own environmental handprint,” said Chris Cooper, Vice President, Renewable Aviation North America, Neste.
“People who travel by private aircraft know there’s an environmental impact and many of them want a more sustainable option.
“In fact, a good number of people relying on private aviation are either working for companies with established climate goals or individuals who have personally committed to fighting climate change.
“This partnership means that passengers can look forward to being able to board a private aircraft fuelled by SAF and help fight – not contribute – to climate change in the near future.”
Additionally, NetJets is the launch customer of sustainable fuel supplied by the Signature Renew program at SFO with a commitment to purchase up to 3m gallons of SAF, representing a large portion of Signature’s total volume at the airport.
“NetJets is pleased to be Signature’s first major SAF client,” said Brad Ferrell, NetJets Executive Vice President, Administrative Services.