CAAFI is a coalition of airlines, airports, aircraft and engine manufacturers, energy producers, researchers, non-governmental organizations, international participants and U.S. government agencies that seek to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability for aviation by exploring and facilitating the use of drop-in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
CAAFI primarily serves as a means of exchanging information and coordinating stakeholder efforts. This is done through development of communication tools for evaluation of alternative jet fuel readiness, the holding of technical workshops, outreach to domestic and international aviation, energy, and financial industry forums, and communication with the news media.
CAAFI also serves in the role of initiating activities associated with supply chain business development, including the use of public-private partnerships as well as leveraging the funded activities of their sponsors and various government partner agencies.
CAAFI members are advancing the development of SAF through four focused teams, under the guidance of an Administrative Leadership Team, and with advice and consent from an industry Steering Group. The teams include:
- Fuel Certification and Qualification
- Research and Development
- Environment
- Business and Economics
CAAFI priorities include the following:
1. Communicate the Value Proposition of SAF – CAAFI will communicate the economic, social, and environmental benefits of SAF to the federal government, state and local governments, regional bodies, non-governmental organizations, private sector and public to broaden the base of stakeholders supporting SAF.
2. Enhance the Fuel Qualification Approach – CAAFI will promote a broadly supported, streamlined certification/qualification program and a more durable, higher capacity process to handle the significant queue of potential SAF candidates.
3. Develop the U.S. SAF Supply by Aligning Efforts to Enable Commercial Deployment – CAAFI will focus on real-world implementation by supporting feedstock and fuel project development, foster producer-buyer engagement that leads to offtake agreements, and build upon federal, state and regional supply chain efforts.
4. Implement Frameworks & Share Best Practices – CAAFI will provide tools and share best practices to evaluate the readiness of feedstocks and fuels and their potential economic, social and environmental benefits.