Story ID: 466
Bizav Experts Talk SAF Adoption Challenges
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: Panelists from Avfuel, Women in Aviation International, and 4Air participated
Word Count: 598
Availability and cost remain significant roadblocks to widescale adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and a panel of industry experts at NBAA-BACE on Wednesday discussed ways of overcoming those and other obstacles as the industry strives to reach its 2050 net-zero emissions goal.
Moderated by Josh Mesinger, v-p of Mesinger Jet Sales, the discussion brought together Jabili Kandula, associate editor at Women in Aviation International; Kennedy Ricci, president of 4Air; and CR Sincock, executive v-p of Avfuel.
According to Sincock, business aviation represents approximately 5% to 6% of the total demand for jet fuel but is already responsible for 10% of SAF usage. "I think that business aviation so far is actually doing a great job on a relative basis. And the numbers will vary based on what source you talk to," he noted.
While the industry is adopting increasingly more SAF, it is still working off a very low starting point. Sincock highlighted Avfuel’s expansion of SAF availability along the East Coast, which Avfuel announced on Tuesday, following its partnership with Valero Marketing and Supply. This move marks a significant step in making SAF more accessible to operators outside California and the West Coast, where it has largely been concentrated.
Despite the progress, cost remains a primary barrier to adoption. Mesinger addressed the financial challenges, acknowledging that SAF carries a premium compared to traditional jet fuel.
While the price gap is narrowing as technology matures, Sincock explained that there is still a need for flight departments and corporate sustainability teams to recognize long-term investment in SAF as a step toward operational sustainability.
“There is a cost that has to be paid. Luckily, you don’t have to bite it all at one time,” he said, advocating for incremental adoption through mechanisms like book-and-claim.
Ricci reinforced the importance of sustainability as a value proposition, especially as generational shifts occur within corporate structures. He pointed out that environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly relevant to both talent recruitment and customer relations.
“Seventy-one percent of millennials say climate change is a top priority to them,” Ricci noted, adding that transparency around corporate emissions has grown substantially. "Four years ago...40% of Fortune 500 companies reported their emissions publicly. Now we're at 99%." This increasing demand for transparency, particularly in Europe, is pressuring the business aviation sector to demonstrate leadership in sustainability.
Kandula offered a younger perspective on the issue, emphasizing that sustainability is both a professional and personal concern for her generation. “We’re pushing to be a leader in this industry for sustainability because it affects us the most,” Kandula said.
She stressed that the responsibility extends beyond corporate goals and into the daily actions of individuals. “What are you doing as an individual? What are you doing on the ground? Maybe that's making changes, like switching to biodegradable materials in the office and in flight,” she suggested.
The panel also addressed public perception, with Kandula highlighting the common misconception that aviation is responsible for a larger share of global emissions than it actually is.
Ricci said, however, that as other industries decarbonize, aviation’s proportional share of emissions will increase, intensifying public scrutiny. “The public does think it's much bigger…you have to back it up with the action.”
As the business aviation industry continues its path toward decarbonization, the panelists agreed that collaboration and education are key. This discussion at NBAA-BACE underscored the urgency of taking meaningful steps now to ensure a sustainable future for aviation.