4Air, which helps companies offset their emissions, use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and drive technological change, has signed its 100th client. Since 4Air's launch in January 2021, it has built an expansive and diverse client roster, including commercial airlines such as Southwest Airlines, FBOs such as Clay Lacy Aviation and Fontainebleau Aviation, business jet operators such as Verijet and Tradewind Aviation, and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) including Embraer and GE Honda Aero Engines, among other corporate flight departments, airports and partnerships within aviation insurance.

In just two years, 4Air has become a leader in sustainability and a trusted partner to a wide array of aviation companies, helping its clients to: offset or reduce more than 2.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) through the use of verified carbon offset credits and SAF; offset emissions produced by more than 550,000 flight hours or 275 million miles travelled, the equivalent of more than 11,000 trips around the world; and, provide accounting and documentation for the physical and book and claim use of over 5.8 million gallons of SAF, a ‘drop-in’ fuel made from sustainable, non-fossil sources such as animal fats and used cooking oil, including the claiming of SAF to reduce operator's compliance obligations under certain regulatory programmes.

4Air president Kennedy Ricci noted that many of the company's early clients are increasing their commitments, moving to higher rating levels of the 4Air programme. He says: “4Air pushes the envelope around our idea of a sustainability programme. Our programme begins where most others end and lays out a path for a longer-term approach to sustainability. Aviation has the opportunity to be carbon-neutral today, and our programme answers the question of how to start while enabling improved and more comprehensive solutions over time.”

SAF, in particular, is being seen as the biggest opportunity for decarbonisation since it is more available now, provides some of the largest emission reduction opportunities and is a drop-in solution that can be used in ordinary aircraft without the need for special equipment or engine modifications. “The aircraft we have today will still be flying in 2050, so solutions like SAF that enable existing aircraft to decarbonise will be critical,” adds COO Nancy Bsales.

While the price for SAF can still be high, new state and federal incentive programmes like the blender tax credits for SAF, included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, are helping incentivise increased SAF adoption.

“We're the first and last impression of a flight, and, by offsetting the carbon footprint of our facility, 4Air makes it easy for us to demonstrate to our customers that we are dedicated to being a leader in sustainable aviation,” says Oscar Le Rois, airside operations director at Fontainebleau Aviation, the first fixed base operator in Florida to achieve 4Air's Facility Neutral rating.

“Our focus is on providing our customers with a safe and more sustainable option when it comes to private air travel. Our fleet of fuel-efficient jets is carbon-neutral thanks to 4Air and its easy-to-implement programmes,” adds Allison Kane, co-founder and chief experience officer of Florida-based charter operator Verijet.

“Tradewind Aviation operates to some of the most beautiful destinations in the US and the Caribbean. With the help of 4Air, we are offsetting 100 per cent of our carbon emissions, reducing our environmental impact,” says David Zipkin, co-founder and CMO of private charter and schedule service operator Tradewind Aviation.

The growth of 4Air comes against the backdrop of a changing industry, including managing stakeholder requests for climate-conscious initiatives, appeals from ESG advocates and changing government policies.