Heritage Aviation, Avfuel bring SAF to Vermont airport

Photo: Avfuel Corp.

Heritage Aviation along with Avfuel Corp. announced April 22 the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (KBTV) in Vermont.

In celebration of the new offering, Heritage Aviation—the 100 percent employee-owned fixed-base operation (FBO) and Federal Aviation Administration-certified 145 repair station responsible for servicing the airport’s general-aviation aircraft—hosted Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Airport Director Nic Longo at its state-of-the-art, LEED Gold Standard facility March 21.

Heritage Aviation said this visit underscored the vital role it plays in supporting Vermont’s aviation industry and the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, while recognizing the FBO for being at the forefront of sustainable aviation operations.

When Heritage Aviation welcomed its first load of SAF in February, it became Avfuel’s first customer in the Northeast U.S. to provide the new sustainable alternative to jet fuel and commit to its consistent availability.

“We were honored to welcome Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak to our facility, showcasing the dedication and expertise of our employee-owners, and our commitment to sustainability and the next generation of fuel,” said Matthew Collins, the CEO of Heritage Aviation.

“We are thrilled to partner with Avfuel and to be its first branded FBO location in the Northeast to offer SAF, bringing the next generation of fuel to Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport,” Collins added.

During the visit, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and Longo met with Heritage Aviation’s employee-owners to learn more about SAF, the company’s commitment to providing exceptional aviation services, fostering a culture of employee ownership and embracing sustainable business practices.

As an employee-owned business, Heritage Aviation said it exemplifies a model of shared success and long-term investment in the region’s economic development.

Heritage Aviation’s SAF from Avfuel—produced by Diamond Green Diesel, a joint venture between Valero and Darling Ingredients—is made from materials like used cooking oil and can lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80 percent when compared to conventional jet fuel if used in its neat form.

All SAF is required to be blended with jet fuel prior to delivery.

With target-blend percentages of 30 percent neat SAF and 70 percent conventional jet fuel, the SAF Avfuel delivers can lower lifecycle-GHG emissions by up to 24 percent when compared to conventional jet fuel alone.

“We are proud to partner with Heritage Aviation—Avfuel’s premier branded FBO partner in Burlington, Vermont—to bring SAF to the Northeast,” said C.R. Sincock II, Avfuel’s executive vice president.  

“It’s a testament to the FBO’s pioneering spirit, and commitment to its community and sustainability efforts,” Sincock said.