VistaJet updates Sustainability in Aviation pledge

In its first progress report since making the commitment during Davos in January, VistaJet is adding a partnership with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provider SkyNRG

VistaJet today provided the first formal progress report on the Sustainability in Aviation pledge announced during Davos this past January. Additionally, it is adding a partnership with sustainable fuel pioneer SkyNRG.

As a foundation of its pledge, VistaJet undertook a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions audit, in conjunction with South Pole. To coincide with Climate Week NYC, VistaJet updated results around its eight pillars of sustainability.

Key findings include:

Eight in 10 of VistaJet members have opted in to compensate for their fuel use-related emissions by investing in certified carbon credits around the world. This has allowed VistaJet to already offset almost 100,000 tons of CO2 — equivalent to over 21,600 passenger vehicles driven for one year or over 12.7 billion smartphones charged.

VistaJet’s new plan will secure SAF availability for its customers globally — sourced and delivered by SkyNRG from World Energy’s refinery — enabling significant and direct reduction to the industry’s emissions. In its neat form, the use of SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to conventional jet fuel. Partnering with SkyNRG will offer VistaJet customers the most sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable solution to decarbonize their flights while helping to grow adoption across the entire industry.

Its new Global 7500 fleet – it has options for up to 30 – including its new GE Passport engines produce less noise and fuel consumption of approximately 2.5 liters per functional unit.

Through investment in AI and machine-learning technology, a new program to automate flight optimization and global fleet management has enabled the company to minimize ferry flights and reduce fuel consumption by 8% per flight.

Customers who are more flexible on departure city airport selection helped to reduce movement around London airports by 20% in 2019, cutting several tons of CO2.

VistaJet has removed over 90% of single-use items across its fleet and replaced items on board with sustainable alternatives.

VistaJet has implemented new requirements for all purchasing partners, including sustainability accreditation.

Finally, to decrease levels of electricity consumption, the company has adopted supplies from renewable sources for two of its largest offices and is assessing solutions for the others

In launching the initiative, VistaJet also highlighted the overall minimal impact of business aviation through a separate report. In the white paper, titled, “Sustainability in Aviation,” it pointed out global aviation produces only around 2% of all human-induced CO2 emissions – or 895M tonnes of CO2 versus 42B tonnes.

While business aviation is often a lightning rod for activists, private aviation’s share of the aviation industry’s global footprint is just 2% of the broader industry, so 2% of 2%, or just 0.04% of global CO2 emissions.