alternative fuels

ATA and our member airlines are making extensive resource commitments to stimulate the development of commercially viable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels.  As a framework for doing this, we are a founding and principal member of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), a consortium of airlines, government, manufacturers, fuel suppliers, airports, universities and other stakeholders who hold the various keys to research, development and responsible implementation of alternative jet fuels.

While each entity involved in CAAFI has a role to play, our airlines understand that – as end users of the ultimate product – they must not only make clear their requirements for alternative jet fuels, but also signal the market that we will financially back fuels meeting those specifications.  In this regard, the ATA Board of Directors has issued the “ATA Alternative Fuels Principles.” Among other things, the Alternative Fuels Principles document stipulates that the ATA carriers require that any future alternative jet fuel be more environmentally friendly, on a life-cycle basis, than the jet fuel available today. Through CAAFI and other partnerships, we are undertaking the work to be sure that tomorrow’s alternative jet fuel meets that criterion.  Developing a more environmentally friendly alternative jet fuel will ensure the full decoupling of growth in aviation demand from growth in GHG emissions.