Iata has welcomed a commitment from the US president to incentivise the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The airline trade body thanked Joe Biden for proposing additional incentives supporting increased SAF production.
The move will help the aviation sector with its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The US Travel Association also applauded Biden’s comments on lowering energy costs in a speech made in Iowa on Tuesday, which touted the need to advance the development, production and distribution of SAF.
Public affairs and policy executive vice president Tori Emerson Barnes said: “In recent weeks, global fuel shortages have underscored the growing need for sustainable aviation fuels.
“To protect the environment and meet the needs of the public, elected officials must reimagine how we travel and prioritise measures to make sustainable aviation fuels a reality.
“US Travel applauds president Biden for identifying the critical need to advance policies and long-term solutions that make travel more sustainable, and for recognising the opportunity to not just recover from the pandemic, but to rebuild to be stronger than we were before.
“We do not have to choose between traveling and saving the planet – both are possible if policymakers continue to work with the travel industry to accelerate sustainability.”
Biden said he had set a goal of zero-carbon for aviation sector by 2050.
“I’ve spoken with the leading heads of all major airlines. It’s going to require billions of gallons of sustainable aviation fuel. And you simply can’t get to net zero by 2050 without biofuels,” he said.
“Aviation isn’t a case where you blend in a little bit of biofuel. It’s where it’s called ‘drop in’ – meaning 100% biofuel.
“You don’t need to take my word for it. Take the word of the CEO of American Airlines who said, ‘Sustainable aviation fuel is the cornerstone of our strategy.’ And the CEO of United Airlines, who called the first biofuel-powered flight ‘a significant milestone for our efforts to decarbonize our industry.’
“To bring that future within reach, I proposed a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit that we brought together — the governments, the agencies, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, fuel producers, airports — to advance cleaner and more sustainable fuels for American aviation. That’s how we’re going to get there. And we can.”