ATA, DOD Partner on Alternative Fuel Initiative
In a move hailed as a significant advance for the bio- and synthetic fuels market, the Air Transport Association (ATA) and the U.S.

In a move hailed as a significant advance for the bio- and synthetic fuels market, the Air Transport Association (ATA) and the U.S. Department of Defense signed a strategic alliance agreement on Friday, signaling a partnership in the development and deployment of alternative aviation fuels. The two groups, which represent the vast bulk of jet fuel consumers, have a combined thirst of more than 1.5 million barrels a day. “By collaborating, we reinforce our commitment to fostering the widespread commercialization of alternative jet fuel,” said ATA president and CEO James May. The alliance will combine talent and research from both sides to create three working groups that will tackle alternative fuel hurdles–including environmental, deployment and logistics and contracting and finance–to spur market growth and accelerate the certification processes for new fuels. The partnership will represent the two groups for the first time at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference next month.