PR: Embraer, a global leader in aerospace innovation, today announced a landmark agreement with Avfuel to increase its uptake of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ (SAF) at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) to one load per week.
The duo first entered into a SAF agreement in July 2021 in support of Embraer’s flight operations out of MLB. This agreement saw Avfuel deliver one 8,000-gallon truckload of Neste MY SAF per quarter to Sheltair MLB, the FBO that provides storage and handling services for Embraer.
With the updated weekly agreement commencing in April, the extended partnership is expected to result in a total of 240,000 U.S. gallons of SAF delivered to Embraer in 2024, representing a significant increase when compared to previous years. Each truckload will provide a 19 metric ton reduction in carbon emissions, resulting in a 570 metric ton reduction in carbon emission for the year.
“Embraer’s collaboration with Avfuel and Sheltair marks a pivotal milestone in our journey toward net-zero emission flight operations,” said Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “Our continued investment in SAF demonstrates our dedication to reducing emissions today and driving the industry closer to the net-zero aviation goal by 2050.”
C.R. Sincock, II, Avfuel’s Executive Vice President, said: “Embraer has been a steadfast partner in SAF adoption from day one. We are proud to play a part in its impressive sustainability journey by drastically increasing SAF supply to help fulfill its team’s admirable sustainability goals. The Avfuel team also extends its gratitude to Sheltair for the pivotal role it plays in making this agreement possible with industry-leading fuel safety and handling services.”
Leonel Rivera, Senior Vice President of FBO Operations for Sheltair, said, “Sheltair is excited to support Embraer by handling and storing these SAF deliveries. This collaboration between Sheltair, Embraer and Avfuel shows our commitment to reaching the industry’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By combining our knowledge and resources, we will be able to handle and store weekly fuel deliveries of SAF.”
Embraer’s investment in SAF will primarily support flight demonstrations, deliveries and production flights in Melbourne. In addition to its investment in SAF, Embraer continues to improve the efficiency of its current portfolio of aircraft, explore alternative low-to-zero-emission propulsion technologies, and offer complimentary carbon offsetting to new Embraer Executive Care customers through its partnership with 4AIR. These efforts support the company’s environmental commitments, which include achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040, and net-zero aviation by 2050, aligned with the industry’s Fly Net Zero commitment.
The need to be seen as “doing something” about Net Zero and green aviation continues. Embraer announced it is increasing SAF uptake at its Melbourne, Florida facility. It is not the only OEM doing this.
We expect to see this approach, where an OEM collaborates with a fuel supplier at its home base, to grow. It is the quickest way to show meaningful progress. Moreover, depending on each working model’s success, the solution is readily copyable elsewhere. Industry does not and should not wait for legislation to catch up.
SAF supply remains a challenge. But each step towards setups like this is significant. While politicians dither, real leaders get on with it.
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