California and airlines partner on sustainable aviation fuel expansion

In a landmark move, California has announced a partnership with major U.S. airlines and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within the state. The initiative, supported by Airlines for America (A4A) and a coalition of passenger and cargo airlines, sets a target to increase SAF availability to 200 million gallons annually by 2035, enough to meet approximately 40% of California’s intrastate air travel demand. This commitment underscores the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner air travel.

Governor Gavin Newsom praised the agreement, emphasising the importance of public-private collaboration in tackling climate issues: California and the aviation industry are joining forces to tackle emissions head-on. This partnership creates opportunities for clean fuel innovation, allowing Californians to travel cleaner and building a future of sustainable aviation.

The agreement forms part of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard programme, aimed at driving sustainable fuel adoption through regulatory support and incentives. Airlines such as Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United have pledged to collaborate with CARB on this mission, reflecting a collective commitment to achieving net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.

Key elements of the partnership include engaging with SAF producers to provide cost-competitive fuel options, creating a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Working Group to monitor progress, and launching a public website to provide information on SAF availability. This strategic alignment between government and industry marks a critical step in advancing sustainable solutions in aviation.