Google, the world’s most popular search engine, has joined a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programme intended to scale up SAF usage by leveraging business travel.
Google is joining the Avelia programme, which is powered by Shell Aviation and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
“Avelia aims to jumpstart the SAF market by enabling business travellers and airlines to share the benefits of SAF while each receiving respective credit for the associated carbon emission reductions,” Shell Aviation’s Eva Wan recently explained to Airport Technology.
Google has signed up for the SAF and carbon reduction credit system as part of its stride to become carbon neutral across its operations and value chain by 2030.
Google director of climate and energy Michael Terrell said: “The use of SAF will play a critical role in helping the aviation sector on its path to decarbonise. Joining the programme further represents Google’s continued efforts to accelerate the global transition to a carbon-free future.”
The Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue and Japan Airlines are some of the other corporations already signed up for the Amex-Shell programme.
Amex GBT president Andrew Crawley explained: “Business travel is a crucial passenger segment for aviation, accounting for around 15% of air travel globally and generating around 40% of revenues. To have Google join our growing SAF programme demonstrates how corporate collaboration can accelerate aviation’s transition to net zero and enable more sustainable travel.”
Shell Aviation president Jan Toschka added: “As scaling the uptake of SAF will only be possible if all parts of the aviation value chain work together. We’re thrilled to work with such an influential and forward-thinking company.”
