Williston Basin International airport FBO Overland Aviation in North Dakota, together with independent fuel supplier Avfuel, has accepted a delivery of SAF, expanding accessibility of the fuel to a new region within the US.

The demonstrative, 8,000-gallon delivery marks Avfuel's first Midwest location to receive a load of SAF, which comes ahead of the EBACE in Geneva, where innovation and sustainability initiatives take centre stage.

“We're proud to help lead the charge in introducing SAF to the Midwest,” comments Tanner Overland, president and founder of Overland Aviation. “Our goal is to provide world-class services that support a more sustainable future for aviation; this special fuel load is an important milestone in that commitment.”

Joel Hirst, Avfuel's senior vice president of sales, adds: “This announcement represents an exciting step forward in expanding SAF availability and accessibility across the U.S. We were thrilled to work with Overland Aviation to showcase the viability of SAF's expansion into the Midwest while offering the FBO's global customer base a more environmentally responsible fuelling option.”

The fuel delivery was further made possible by the SAF supply agreement between Avfuel and Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation. The neat SAF produced by Diamond Green Diesel, a joint venture between a Valero affiliate and an affiliate of Darling Ingredients, is made using the HEFA SPK pathway process, meaning it uses lipids, like used cooking oil, to produce the fuel and can lower lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 80 per cent when compared to conventional jet fuel. With target blend percentages of 30 per cent neat SAF and 70 per cent conventional jet fuel, SAF can lower lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 24 per cent when compared to conventional jet fuel.

Overland Aviation at Williston Basin International is positioned in the central US and serves as a premier international tech stop, offering world-class service and competitive fuel pricing from its new facility. With a focus on delivering safe, efficient and affordable global-ready support, Overland offers US Customs clearance (co-located in the FBO's facility), quick turns in 30 minutes or less, comprehensive ground handling, aircraft maintenance and FAA Part 135 air charters.

The FBO is a fee-free tech stop: free of landing fees, handling fees, security fees and infrastructure fees. In addition, ramp and international garbage fees are always waived with a fuel purchase, for which the FBO offers Jet A volume discounts.