February 5, 2012 - Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, and Boeing released several recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accelerate the commercial viability and deployment of aviation biofuels.

The recommendations were announced in conjunction with the recent publication of the working-draft “Farm to Fly” report issued by the USDA, A4A and Boeing. 

“While there has been a great deal of progress made toward the deployment of aviation biofuels, additional steps are needed to support the commercial viability of this new industry,” said A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich. 

“This support must be aimed to achieve proof of commercialization and to validate the business model for all elements of the supply chain. Strong support across the supply chain will help scale up production of sustainable alternative aviation fuels.” 

The Farm to Fly partnership was established in July 2010 to advance a comprehensive and sustainable aviation biofuels rural-development plan. As the lead agency responsible for feedstock development and production systems, USDA joined with A4A and the Boeing Company in a resolution to accelerate the availability of sustainable aviation biofuels in the United States, increase domestic energy security, establish regional supply chains and support rural development. 

A4A is committed to the development and deployment of sustainable alternative fuels for use in jet aircraft. The Farm to Fly initiative builds on and expands the work of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), of which A4A is a co-founding and co-leading member, to hasten the availability of commercially viable, environmentally preferred alternative jet fuels. 

While there has been a great deal of progress made toward laying a strong foundation for the deployment of aviation biofuels, additional steps are needed to support the commercial viability of this new industry. This support must be aimed to achieve proof of commercialization to validate the business model for all elements of the supply chain. Fundamental support across the supply chain will help scale up production of aviation biofuel. 

While a foundation must be laid for all supply-chain elements to become self-sustaining, having at least two successful commercial-scale projects in appropriate parts of the country is a necessary precursor to private investment and scalable production on a broader national scale.