Carbon Offset is Latest Sustainable Initiative at the Aspen FBO
On Decemer 16, 2021 Atlantic Aviation, operator of the Aspen fixed base operation (FBO), announced the launch of a new Carbon Offset Initiative in which every gallon of jet fuel for commercial and private aviation at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) will be offset to be carbon neutral through verified carbon credits purchased by Atlantic Aviation. The offset program was effective December 1, 2021 and will be embedded in all future aviation fuel sales, both jet and avgas, at ASE.
Why this is important:
The new carbon offset program is the latest in a series of sustainable initiatives being implemented by Atlantic Aviation at the Aspen FBO with support from administrators and community leaders in Pitkin County. These initiatives aim to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint generated by aircraft operations at the Aspen FBO whenever possible, and position ASE as a national leader in sustainable aviation practices.
"We are very pleased by the implementation of these sustainability initiatives as they are consistent with the Aspen/Pitkin County Common Ground Recommendations to address climate change," said Daniel P. Bartholomew, Airport Director of ASE.
“The new Carbon Offset Initiative introduced by Atlantic Aviation reflects ASE’s commitment to being a national leader in sustainable aviation practices,” said Jonathan Jones, General Manager for Atlantic Aviation. “While the availability of elective purchases of carbon offsets have recently increased within the aviation community, we are pleased to take ASE’s commitment a step further by having carbon offsets embedded in the sale of all aviation fuel at the airport.”
“As a leading national network of FBOs, we take our responsibility to drive innovation and increased sustainability in the aviation industry very seriously,” said Tim Bannon, COO of Atlantic Aviation. “The Carbon Offset Initiative at ASE is a first of its kind program for Atlantic Aviation and a great example of what’s possible when we partner with communities that share our commitment to responsible environmental leadership.”
Atlantic Aviation has a strong track record for implementing sustainability initiatives and looks to continue to build on these initiatives in the future in order to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the Aspen FBO. Other pioneering programs at Atlantic Aviation include efforts related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, use of LED technology, and electric conversion of Ground Support Equipment.
Additional Sustainability Initiatives Undertaken by Atlantic Aviation at ASE:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Atlantic Aviation confirmed the first delivery of SAF at ASE on April 22, 2021 and is continuing to invest in significantly increasing the amount of SAF being delivered and utilized to fuel jets at the airport across both commercial and private aviation. ASE was the second airport in the Atlantic Aviation network to receive physical SAF – and only the second airport in Colorado. Atlantic recently doubled its commitment to the amount of SAF being utilized at ASE and is evaluating other potential opportunities to increase supply as it becomes more readily available. Atlantic Aviation is committed to using Renewable Diesel, a low carbon non-fossil-based form of diesel fuel, to minimize the carbon footprint of the transportation of SAF into ASE.
Electric Conversion of Ground Support Equipment
Since 2010, Atlantic Aviation has steadily converted gas powered equipment to electric across its network of FBO locations. Currently, 70% of the ground support equipment at the Atlantic Aviation FBO at ASE is electric and operates on renewable technology. This percentage will continue to be increased over time as Atlantic Aviation evaluates the integration of Electric Powered Units that facilitate power to aircraft while being serviced. This initiative will not only reduce emissions from current ground power units that utilize gas or diesel but will also significantly reduce noise pollution from aircraft when electric units are in service.
LED Project
In 2018, Atlantic Aviation undertook a project to replace fluorescent light fixtures with LED technology in all of its hangars and main facilities across North America. The investment totaled $4.5 million and resulted in an energy reduction of 55% or 6.9 million kilowatts annually. This equated to a carbon emission reduction of 2,767 metric tons in one calendar year. For Aspen FBO specifically, 80% of all light fixtures were converted to LED resulting in a 28% reduction in energy usage. The light fixtures within the main terminal building were not converted due to significant structural issues, but there are future plans that will enable this.
About Atlantic Aviation
Atlantic Aviation operates one of the leading networks of fixed base operators in North America, providing a full suite of critical services to the private aviation sector. With FBOs across 30 states, Atlantic Aviation provides a wide range of aircraft ground handling and corporate flight support services, including fueling and line services, ground transportation, catering, hangar, de-icing, and ramp space. To learn more visit https://www.atlanticaviation.com/.
ASE supports the Good Traveler Program. Values established during a comprehensive community engagement process that got underway in 2019 include striving to maintain enplanement growth to 8% per year and reduce emissions and noise by 30% as the airport terminal and runway are redeveloped for the future.
ASE’s partnership with The Good Traveler program is a reflection of the County’s overall commitment to climate action by encouraging its citizens and visitors to offset their travel. All ACRA staff will be offsetting work travel with this partnership. Learn more here.
Click here to learn more about our sustainability initiatives in Aspen and what you can do to help create a sustainable future for generations to come.
