February 26, 2024
Climbing Fast will set the record straight on the industry’s many societal benefits, including its leadership role in sustainability.
Ten industry groups across business aviation have joined to launch Climbing Fast, an advocacy campaign “aimed at setting the record straight on the industry’s many societal benefits, including its leadership role in sustainability.”
Thirty-one percent of Private Jet Card Comparisons subscribers say the sustainability program will be important the next time they choose a jet card or fractional ownership program.
The industry has recently seen a surge in first-time customers, with 95% of new since Covid private aviation users saying they are sticking with private jet flights.
According to the announcement, the campaign has a “sharp focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions from flight in the years to come.”
The launch came during the National Business Aviation Association’s annual conference, which ended Thursday in Las Vegas.
During May’s European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE), climate protestors vandalized airplanes that were part of the static display, closing Geneva’s airport for several hours.
“The business aviation industry has long been essential in providing economic opportunities for a next-generation workforce, helping companies of all sizes succeed, connecting America’s communities, and delivering humanitarian assistance for those in need,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
He continued, “Equally important, our industry has long made an ambitious commitment to sustainability, with measurable results. Our new, branded Climbing Fast initiative will take this message to policymakers, opinion leaders, and other key audiences, informing perceptions about the industry’s sustainability record and value.”
“Business aviation is the technology incubator for the aviation industry, as we lead the way in advancing safety and sustainability,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO Pete Bunce.
Private jet users support over 1.2 million total jobs and over $247 billion in total economic output in the United States.
The program includes the ClimbingFast.com website, paid advertising, social media, and public relations.
The campaign will emphasize the industry’s value as an incubator for innovation.
Private jet manufacturers have developed many innovations that have expanded to broader aviation, including airplane winglets, lightweight airframe composites, satellite-based navigation systems, and other carbon-cutting technologies.
As a result, emissions from private jets have dropped 40% in just four decades.
New business aircraft are up to 35% more efficient than the previous generation.
Climbing Fast will also highlight how it is making its net-zero carbon emissions goal a reality, including the development of eco-friendly aircraft that use ultra-efficient engines, including hybrid, electric, and even hydrogen-powered propulsion; the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which can reduce net-carbon emissions by 80%; and, the use of smarter, faster, more efficient routing that requires less energy.
“What business aviation contributes to society is immeasurable, and its commitment to sustainability unmatched,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Mark Baker.
“As new technologies are developed, it opens more possibilities to incorporate sustainable energy innovations to maintain and expand the worldwide benefits of aviation,” said Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
“The movement toward environmentally friendly Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is already underway, with both new entrants and existing manufacturers utilizing alternative fuels,” said Helicopter Association International President (HAI) and CEO James Viola.
International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Executive Director Wayne Starling added, “We are pleased to be a part of this comprehensive industry initiative to promote business aviation’s measurable, sustainable, and ongoing progress to improve our environment.”
The new initiative is in addition to the No Plane, No Gain advocacy from the National Business Aviation Association and General Aviation Manufacturers.
Overall, aviation accounts for just over 2% of total carbon emissions globally, with private jets making up 2% of that 2%.
