Business aviation leaders will convene from 14-15 September for a first-of-its-kind Virtual 2020 Business Aviation Sustainability Summit to discuss pathways to accelerate the market for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The cleaner-burning alternative fuel, on a gallon-per-gallon basis, often reduces net lifecycle CO2 emissions in excess of 50 per cent versus conventional jet fuel.

Experts along the value chain, including manufacturers, producers, providers/FBOs, operators, government leaders and others, will discuss and determine how to increase the production, availability and use of SAF. Members of the news media are invited to attend.

The forum is being hosted by the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF Coalition), which just released Fueling the Future, an educational and informational resource about SAF development, industry adoption and expansion of supply and use. The guide builds upon initiatives to educate industry leaders, policymakers and others on the benefits and viability of SAF in conjunction with the World Economic Forum and previous events held at airports in Van Nuys, California; Farnborough, UK; Geneva, Switzerland; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The summit will take place on Monday, September 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT and Tuesday, September 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. EDT. Participants will include: Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets; Thierry Betbeze, CEO, Dassault Falcon Jet; Ed Bolen, CEO, National Business Aviation Association; Mark Burns, president and CEO, Gulfstream Aerospace; Pete Bunce, president and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Tim Cesarek, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Gevo; David Coleal, president and CEO, Bombardier Aviation; Chris Cooper, vice president of renewable aviation, North America, Neste; Steve Csonka, executive director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative; Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada; Kurt Edwards, director general, International Business Aviation Council; Darren Fuller, vice president business development, World Fuel Services; Craig Hanlon, director of aviation, Corteva Agriscience; Adam Hook, global category director, procurement, NetJets; Sean Lee, aviation department, The Coca-Cola Company; Tony Lefebvre, COO, Signature Aviation; Andy Maudasher, vice president, global procurement, NetJets; Mark McIntyre, Mente, LLC; Graham Noyes, director, Low Carbon Fuel Coalition; Tim Obitts, president and CEO, National Air Transportation Association; Dr. Tom Parsons, biojet commercial development manager, Air BP; Keith Sawyer, manager of alternative fuels, Avfuel; Bryan Sherbacow, chief commercial officer, World Energy; and Nancy Young, VP environmental affairs, Airlines for America.

Business aviation has been working to increase the use of SAF, which can cut flight emissions by as much as 80 per cent. The industry's efforts are led by the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF Coalition), which includes the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The SAF Coalition's work is supported by a steering committee that includes dozens of aviation businesses, representing every point in the SAF development and supply chain.