Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance Announced

A sustainable aviation fuel adoption initiative, Signature Renew, joins together Signature Flight Support, Neste, and NetJets in a bid to advance towards the goal of net-zero-carbon emissions in business and general aviation. Signature launched the program on September 11 to double-down on its effort to provide SAF to aircraft across its network.

Signature has already established availability of low-emission SAF at two of its key locations: San Francisco International (KSFO) and London-Luton airport (LTN) in the United Kingdom. Neste, which produces a wide range of renewable energy products, has agreed in principle to supply the Signature Renew program with its MY-brand sustainable aviation fuel, with a projected volume of five million gallons—the largest amount of SAF that any FBO has committed to as of this time. In concert with the Neste agreement, NetJets has signed on as the launch customer for the Signature Renew-supplied SAF at KSFO.

The Signature Renew program allows aircraft operators to stay in step with the needs of their parent companies or clients, which often have sustainability goals they must adhere to. According to Signature’s press release, “SAF gallons purchased via Signature SFO will take advantage of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) tax incentive program, while at London-Luton operators can reduce carbon offsetting needs for the EU ETS [Emissions Trading System].”

“Signature is undertaking a momentous step that enables the wide-scale adoption of SAF,” explained 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 Q1 2021. By having the first FBO in the world that is able to offer operators a reliable, full volume supply of SAF at a competitive price only a few dollars beyond traditional jet-A, we are providing the critical acceleration that industry trade groups and aviation regulators have cited as a necessary step on the path to widespread adoption.”