Statement by AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey

by Jarkko on June 26, 2009

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AIA is pleased that the fuels subcommittee of ASTM International approved a new specification for alternative jet fuel from the Fischer-Tropsch process Wednesday.

The subcommittee’s approval means that this fuel has cleared a significant milestone. Once approved by ASTM, and accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration, synthetic paraffinic kerosene from the Fischer-Tropsch process (FT-SPK) can be blended with conventional fuels and used as a substitute to crude oil-derived jet fuel by airlines, private aviation and the military.

As a founder of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, a government-industry partnership working toward the development of cleaner, more affordable fuel options, AIA and many of its members have been actively engaged in the advancement of alternative aviation fuels.

Approval of FT-SPK will pave the way for near-term approval of sustainable, plant-based biofuels that hold great promise for significantly lowering aviation’s carbon footprint on a lifecycle basis. It will send a strong signal to those developing alternative jet fuel technologies and production facilities that there is a clear path to market for cleaner fuels that combat global warming and enable future aviation growth.

Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.