In this episode, we talk to Kennedy Ricci, President of 4AIR, who shares insights into how business aviation can accelerate sustainability initiatives that could benefit the entire industry. 

4AIR helps private aviation stakeholders implement impactful sustainability programs, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and industry commitments through independent reviews. Ricci explains 4AIR’s broad approach to aviation sustainability, that extends beyond traditional carbon offsetting.

He discusses:

1. The development of 4AIR’s four-tier rating system for aviation sustainability, starting with carbon offsetting and progressing to more advanced solutions including SAF usage and investment in future technologies.
2. Recent research on contrail reduction shows that adjusting just 50 flights out of nearly 17,000 could reduce the non-CO2 impact by about 50%. The study also found that 70% of contrail-producing flights could have avoided contrails by flying at different altitudes.
3. The stark difference in contrail formation between US and European operations, with aircraft making contrails almost twice as frequently in Europe due to air traffic control (ATC) practices, highlighting the importance of ATC cooperation in sustainability efforts.
4. Business aviation’s outsized role in sustainable aviation fuel adoption, consuming about 10-15% of global SAF production despite representing only 2% of aviation fuel usage, effectively serving as an early adopter for the broader industry.
5. The implementation of innovative tracking solutions through their Assure platform, which has documented over 15 million gallons of SAF and helped establish a more robust system for tracking sustainable fuel usage.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Eloa Guillotin, Co-Founder & CEO of Beyond Aero. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

4AIR 

4AIR launches Assure SAF registry to track and validate sustainable aviation fuel - Financial Post 

4AIR awarded prestigious recognition by Environment+Energy - GlobeNewswire 

‘Small changes to aircraft routings’ could reduce environmental impact - AGN 

4Air compliance services expands with 21 more environmental requirements - Aviation International News