As the first general aviation airport in the U.S. to offer sustainable alternative jet fuels (SAJF) on a trial basis, VNY helped show off the potential of the product when it hosted Business Jets Fuel Green: A Step Toward Sustainability” in mid-January.

The daylong event was devoted to the use and awareness of SAJF, which include the latest formulations of jet fuel that come from renewable and sustainable sources. Los Angeles City Councilmember Nury Martinez and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) executives, including LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint, joined a consortium of general aviation and business aviation advocates to promote the use of the fuels as part of a shared commitment to combating climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from jet fuel.

For this event, each of the participating Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) purchased 4,000 gallons of SAJF, demonstrating the business aviation industry’s commitment to the development and adoption of SAJF.

The introduction of SAJF at VNY is the latest step in a series of sustainable practices that has earned VNY a reputation as one of America’s greenest general aviation airports.

“It’s been 10 years since the aviation industry committed to fight climate change,” said Councilwoman Martinez, whose Council District 6 includes Van Nuys Airport. “Today, Van Nuys Airport and its aviation business partners are taking another major step forward to address climate change by integrating sustainable alternative jet fuels, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. This is a very big deal.”

“By embracing sustainable alternative jet fuels for its aircraft operations, Van Nuys Airport is once again positioning itself as an industry leader and setting the bar for general aviation airports around the world,” said Flint. “Along with our aviation partners, we are showing that using SAJF in aviation operations is possible, which is something of incredible significance. If there’s an industry that can rise to the challenge of fighting climate change, it’s the aviation industry.”