Avfuel Corporation's delivery of sustainable aviation fuel to Koury Aviation at Piedmont Triad International airport in Greensboro, North Carolina on 3 March makes it the first FBO on the Eastern Seaboard to provide SAF for resale to the general aviation consumer.

Koury received two truckloads of the fuel at Piedmont Triad. Each truckload provides a 19 metric ton reduction in carbon emissions compared to petroleum-based jet fuel, creating significant emissions reductions for the sustainably-minded FBO and its customers.

“Avfuel is thrilled to work with the Koury Aviation team as the first branded operation to not only receive a load of SAF, but also sell it to any operator who wants it on the East Coast,” says Keith Sawyer, Avfuel's manager of alternative fuels. “It's an exciting milestone for Koury Aviation, Avfuel and the industry at large.”

Brad Koury, Koury president adds: “When we found out there was an opportunity to receive a delivery of SAF from Avfuel, we knew we had to jump on the opportunity. With the Greensboro Transit Authority having introduced electric buses two years ago, and Kevin Baker, the airport's executive director, promoting initiatives for a greener airport, I knew the introduction of SAF for the East Coast would be an important milestone for Koury Aviation and an optimum chance for us to do our part. Being just 20 minutes from two available Megasites [business clusters developed in collaboration with government, business and education], our FBO is a great place to introduce the future of fuel. Avfuel is helping us kickstart our sustainability journey right now with SAF, ahead of the potential local SAF production capacity that is expected to come online two to three years from now. The timing is prime for the fuel's introduction as KGSO strives to be a link to a sustainable future, and to send a strong demand signal to current and future suppliers.”

The SAF was produced by Neste and is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue materials such as used cooking oil. It is a drop-in fuel that, once blended with petroleum jet fuel, meets the ASTM D-1655 specification for jet fuel. This makes SAF an optimum solution to directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, requiring no new investments, modifications or changes to the aircraft or fuel distribution procedures.

In January, Avfuel established a strategic partnership with Neste to grow the available supply of SAF in the US.

Guests flying in to Greensboro for business or pleasure will enjoy professional services and amenities from the FBO out of its 9,400 square foot lobby and pilot services facility, including quality Jet-A and Avgas, internet-based flight planning, a new Part 145 repair station (certificate number 3KUR168N), 36,000 sq ft of heated hangar space, oxygen and nitrogen services, US Customs on-site, a pilot lounge, limo and sedan services upon request, car rentals, a conference room, catering and a complete kitchen.