Victor and Air BP Launch Carbon Offset Program

Private jet charter marketplace Victor, in collaboration with Air BP and BP Target Neutral, has officially opened its carbon offset program to operators and customers following a trial phase which began late last year. The program aims to put the company and participating aircraft operators ahead in meeting industry deadlines for reduced environmental impact.

Over half of Victor and Air BP’s 20 biggest operator customers have already signed up for the initiative. Charter volume booked by operators signed up for the carbon offset program has grown an additional 46% this year (year-on-year) versus standard operator bookings. 78% of Victor’s customers opted into the scheme have received quotes for flights where carbon emissions for the fuel used will be offset. Among the early adopters to endorse the initiative is Austria’s GlobeAir, the world’s largest Cessna Citation Mustang operator.

According to CORSIA, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s global scheme for carbon offsetting and reduction, aircraft operators will need to purchase offsets for their growth in CO2 emissions above 2020 levels. That scheme launches with a voluntary period, 2021-2026, after which it becomes mandatory. Various industry bodies within business and general aviation have acknowledged specific ICAO targets to try and achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020, make 2% improvements in fuel efficiency (on average per year) between now and 2020, and ensure a 50% cut in total emissions by 2050, relative to 2015. By launching their carbon offset programme now, Victor and Air BP will ensure that a significant number of industry stakeholders are well positioned to meet these targets. Victor’s ambition is to use carbon neutral fuel for 100% of flights by 2020.