The city of Mesa joins with its Falcon Field Airport partners in celebrating the arrival of sustainable aviation fuel as a new, emissions-reducing fuel option.

Avflight Mesa, one of the airport’s fixed based operators that provides aviation fuel and ground handling support, partnered with its sister company, Avfuel Corp., an independent supplier of aviation fuel and services, to establish a consistent supply of sustainable aviation fuel on the airfield, according to a release.

The fixed based operator received its first truckload delivery of sustainable aviation fuel for the airport, 4800 E. Falcon Drive — specifically, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel — on Aug. 28.

Every truckload carries approximately 8,000 gallons of the sustainable fuel. This volume reduces carbon emissions by 19 tons compared to petroleum-based jet fuel from the time the sustainable aviation fuel is created to the time its burned. That provides the same environmental benefit as taking 4.5 passenger vehicles — personal cars, vans, SUVs, trucks — off U.S. roads for a year, the release states.

The introduction of a consistent sustainable aviation fuel supply elevates Avflight Mesa, and by extension, the airport, as a leader in eco-conscious aviation operations, enabling its customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Avflights Mesa location is the first of its 26 fixed based operators around North America and Europe to adopt sustainable aviation fuel, it states.

“We’re thrilled Avflight chose Mesa as a launching point for a more sustainable future,” Corinne Nystrom, Falcon Field’s airport director, said in the release. “This move complements Mesa’s Climate Action Plan aimed at protecting Mesa’s environment and natural resources. With Falcon Field growing every day, (sustainable aviation fuel) will play an important role in supporting the airfield’s increased operations while reducing overall emissions.”

Avfuel, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has supplied fuel and services to Avflight Mesa since first acquiring the fixed based operator in 2020.

“We are incredibly excited to offer (sustainable aviation fuel) at our Mesa location,” said Aaron Mauer, senior regional manager for Avflight. “The addition of (sustainable aviation fuel) to Avflight Mesa’s overall sustainability initiatives furthers our commitment to reducing the production of greenhouse gases and provides our customers the opportunity to work toward their sustainability goals.”

Mesa’s Climate Action Plan outlines four aspirational goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and adopting renewable energy sources. Use of sustainable aviation fuel at Falcon Field will directly contribute to these goals, according to the release.