GBT backs SAF initiative

aMeriCan Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is partnering with Accenture and Shell in a major new initiative allowing the accurate allocation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use for business travellers.

Dubbed Avelia, the “book-andclaim” solution will give airlines access to the “buying capacity of businesses willing to share SAF’s ongoing price premium,” using blockchain technology to ensure full transparency and tracking.

A pilot phase of the scheme is offering about one million gallons of SAF to customers drawn from the GBT client portfolio of 19,000 business across the world.

It allows secured allocation of SAF’s environmental attributes to companies and airlines after the fuel has been delivered into the supply network.

“With Avelia, airlines and business customers could simultaneously reduce emissions in their respective scopes, while ensuring transparency and accountability by avoiding issues such as double-counting,” according to a statement from the participants.

“Developed by Shell and Accenture with the support of the Energy Web Foundation, Avelia includes Amex GBT’s world-leading travel management services to aggregate global business demand for SAF, which will increase SAF supply and use, and help accelerate the aviation industry’s pathway towards netzero emissions,” they said.

Shell Aviation President Jan Toschka said SAF was a key enabler of decarbonisation in the aviation sector, and it is a solution available right now.

“However it’s currently scarce and costs more than conventional jet fuel...Avelia will help trigger demand for SAF at scale, providing confidence to suppliers like us to further increase investment in production and in turn helping to lower the price point for these fuels.”

Amex GBT CEO Paul Abbott urged all companies to join the program to share the costs and benefits of SAF across the travel and aviation sectors.

“A truly viable route to decarbonising air travel is now open for business,” he said.

See aveliasolutions.com.