US FBO chain Million Air has introduced a network strategy that aims to control, reduce and offset its carbon emissions at all of its locations by the end of 2023. Earlier this year it made SAF available at Hollywood Burbank airport in partnership with Avfuel, and at the time the company estimated that each truckload of approximately 8,000 gallons of SAF provided a 22 metric ton reduction in carbon emissions over its lifecycle, the equivalent of making five passenger vehicles zero emissions for one year.

Now the company plans to expand on its SAF offerings across its network starting at White Plains, a facility at New York’s Westchester County airport that was designed to and which continues to implement significant upgrades to reduce FBO operational emissions. White Plains was converted to natural gas and has incorporated a large portion of natural lighting to reduce electrical consumption. It also uses 100 per cent LED lighting and has a reflective white coating on hangar roofs to reduce heat gain in summer.

Million Air will also use carbon offsets sourced from high quality carbon reduction and avoidance projects around the world, and it is expanding its environmental and sustainability strategy to educate and promote its efforts to visitors. Some of these visible efforts will include converting styrofoam to recyclable paper cups at its hospitality bars, recycling refuse, incorporating EV charging stations, replacing existing landscapes around the drive areas of the facility with carbon consuming plants such as cotoneasters, using biodiesel fuel for ground service equipment and installing solar panel across key airports.

“Our strategy recognises there are two sides to general aviation's opportunities to reduce carbon,” says chief brand officer Sandy Nelson. “Not only by providing sustainable aviation fuel to our carbon reduction committed customers, but also ensuring Million Air is equally focused on carbon reduction efforts at its own facilities.”

In a move that offers exposure to the Mountain West region of the US, Million Air has been selected to operate at the Discovery Air FBO facility at the Northern Colorado Regional airport. CEO Roger Woolsey says: “Million Air is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful 32 acre campus to mark our entrance into the Mountain West region.” The company will take on 24,000 sq ft of two storey FBO space and 37,000 sq ft of hangar space.

And a Pacific location will be added to the network from early 2022 when a temporary facility operated by franchisee Freeman Holdings Group opens as the second FBO at Honolulu Kalaeloa airport/John Rodgers Field. Groundbreaking on the permanent $20 million facility is expected to take place in the second quarter of the year, kicking off an 18 to 24 month construction project.

The airfield is less than 10 miles from Daniel K Inouye International airport and features an 8,000 ft main runway. The facility will eventually include a fuel farm with a capacity of 150,000 gallons of jet A and 10,000 gallons of avgas, a 10,000 sq ft terminal with a café as well as a 30,000 sq ft hangar capable of sheltering ultra-long range business jets.