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• Ambitious Target: New partnership aims for 200 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2035, meeting 40% of California’s travel demand.
• Private-Public Collaboration: Airlines 4 America (A4A) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) commit to accelerating SAF use to reduce carbon emissions.
• Innovative Policies: Partnership to drive policy support, incentives, and investment in SAF, facilitating cleaner air travel and climate goals.

In a groundbreaking move for sustainable air travel, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a pioneering partnership between the state and Airlines 4 America (A4A) to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in California. This new agreement between A4A and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is set to achieve a goal of 200 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2035, meeting approximately 40% of the state’s intrastate travel demand—more than ten times the current usage levels.

Governor Newsom emphasized the initiative’s impact, stating;

“California and the aviation industry are joining forces to tackle emissions head-on. We’ve put the tools in place to incentivize cleaner fuels and spur innovation, creating opportunities like this to radically change how Californians can travel cleaner. This is a major step forward in our work to cut pollution, protect our communities, and build a future of cleaner air and innovative climate solutions.”

The partnership, made possible by California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, signals the state’s continued commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable alternatives in the transportation sector.

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CARB Chair Liane Randolph echoed the importance of this step:

“California is once again demonstrating that smart climate action is good for the environment and good for business. This partnership with the nation’s leading airlines brings the aviation industry onboard to advance a clean air future and will help accelerate development of sustainable fuel options and promote cleaner air travel within the state.”

Key elements of the agreement include:

1. Collaborative sustainable aviation fuel Production and Availability: CARB and A4A will work with fuel producers, government agencies, and stakeholders to ensure at least 200 million gallons of SAF are available at cost-competitive rates for California flights by 2035.
2. Policy and Incentive Development: The partnership will focus on creating supportive policies and incentives to promote investment and expedite SAF production and deployment.
3. SAF Working Group: An annual meeting of government and industry leaders will track progress, identify challenges, and coordinate on reaching sustainable aviation fuel targets.

Kevin Welsh, A4A’s Vice President of Environmental Affairs, reinforced the commitment, stating,

“This partnership reflects the type of collaboration between government and the private sector that is necessary to achieve ambitious climate goals, and the agreement announced today reflects the strength of our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future for air travel. We’re excited to work with CARB and other sustainable aviation fuel stakeholders to further our industry’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

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With partners like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, among others, A4A’s involvement signals a broader industry shift toward environmental responsibility and aligns with California’s climate goals, setting a precedent for cleaner air travel across the country.