Sarah McCann is the Director of Communications for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
«The commercial aviation sector remains actively involved in developing solutions for the environmental challenges we all face.»
GAMA was founded in 1970, initially as a US-based organisation that has since evolved into a global association with over 100 member companies spread across five continents. How has it managed to position itself as one of the most important entities in the aviation sector?
Thank you for the recognition! We are very proud of the association's growth into a leading representative of the general aviation manufacturer sector worldwide. I believe GAMA's success lies in the incredible talent of its staff, who work tirelessly to ensure that the issues of all our members are addressed and resolved at all levels and from all fronts: from working with the European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Parliament, or working with members of the US Congress and senior officials in the US Federal Aviation Administration, while also giving them a voice at trade shows in Asia, South America and elsewhere in the world, as well as in working groups and with the press.
Are there difficulties in raising awareness among politicians about the vital contribution of aviation to countries and economies?
In our opinion, most people, including politicians, if they are not already well-acquainted with this sector, receive information about it very positively and understand that general and commercial aviation constitute fundamental parts of national, regional, state, and local economies, and guarantee a large number of skilled, well-paid jobs. They are also aware that this sector offers a higher level of professional stability and longevity, something very difficult to find these days.
GAMA is known and respected for its close monitoring of industry turnover and transport figures, which always speak of growth. But is there a genuine commitment to decreasing the aviation sector's impact on climate change?
I love that you ask me this question. It couldn't be more timely. The commercial aviation sector continues to be actively involved in developing solutions for the environmental challenges we all face. This month marks ten years since GAMA established its committee for the environment, from which emanated a fundamental duty, that of ensuring all GAMA members participate fully and actively in decisions regarding environmental impact and in general aviation initiatives.
In 2009, the sector began to consolidate its commitment to environmental stewardship with GAMA and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) jointly announcing the Business Aviation Commitment to Climate Change: a sector-wide, global commitment to reduce climate change impact, with specific goals for business aviation. The commitment includes:
- More efficient fuel consumption, a reduction of 2 % per year from 2010 to 2020
- To achieve carbon neutrality from 2020
- A 50 % reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 compared with 2005 levels.
We have designed a roadmap to achieve these objectives through four pillars: improving operational efficiency, continuous infrastructure enhancements, promoting market-based measures, and technological development, which includes the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or alternative sustainable jet fuel.
Recently, a coalition of international commercial aviation organisations joined forces with certain government representatives to amplify their push for progress in the development and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Can you give us some more details on this initiative?
On 28 May, in the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), the sector launched the business aviation guide for the use of sustainable alternative fuel. The leaders of GAMA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (in English, European Business Aviation Association), IBAC, the National Air Transport Association and the Association for National Commercial Aviation (in English, National Business Aviation Association, as well as many GAMA member companies, participated in the launch, including Bombardier's President of Commercial Aircraft, David Coleal, who also chairs GAMA's Environment Committee. Claudia Fusco, Head of the Innovation Unit, Directorate-General for Environment at the European Commission, also joined the launch and provided insights that shed light on the EU's approach to emissions reduction and the role played by the SAJF initiative.
This guide serves as a roadmap for raising awareness of and promoting the use of alternative fuels. It highlights that they are currently available and a direct drop-in substitute, as well as their multiple benefits, including for operators, and addresses concerns and reservations while debunking common myths about these alternatives, their origins, and their impact. The guide offers the technical pathway for the approval and development validation of sustainable alternative fuels and lays out the scientific basis demonstrating their safety – the sector’s top priority and a common misconception about SAF. It includes FAQs for owners, operators, fuel suppliers, and FBOs for technical information and guidance on obtaining and using alternative fuels in flight.
We encourage all those interested in learning more about this initiative and accessing the guide to visit futureofsustainablefuel.com.
