American Express Global Business Travel and Shell Aviation have extended their agreement for the Avelia sustainable aviation fuel program, with plans to expand its customer base beyond business travel.
The companies alongside Accenture launched Avelia, a blockchain-powered "book-and-claim" program through which corporations can invest in SAF and be credited toward their sustainability targets, in June 2022. From its initial offering of about 1 million gallons of SAF at its launch, the program has since accounted for more than 10 million gallons of SAF added into the existing fuel network, according to Amex GBT. More than 30 corporations and airlines—participating corporate customers include Aon, Bank of America and Google—have committed to SAF purchases totaling 49 million gallons to be supplied by Shell up to 2026.
So far, Avelia has coordinated injection of SAF into the fuel network of nine airports: London Heathrow; Los Angeles; Ontario, Calif; Paris; Stockholm; Hong Kong; Le Havre, France; Singapore Changi; and Dubai. Through Avelia, travelers can pay for SAF and claim the environmental benefits even if SAF is not available at their departure airport.
With the extension, the length of which was not disclosed, Amex GBT plans to expand it with its customer base and look for opportunities for investment beyond business travel, including air freight customers, aircraft financiers and fuel producers, according to the travel management company.