Air Transport Association Applauds Agriculture Secretary Vilsack for Measures to Accelerate Production of Affordable Renewable Aviation Fuels

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, applauded Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack for steps announced today to set America on a sound path to greatly enhance the nation's independence from foreign oil sources and reduce carbon emissions.

"ATA and its member airlines, in close collaboration with USDA, the Boeing Company, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration are working hard to procure and deploy environmentally preferred, economically viable, domestically produced jet fuel; this includes through long-term purchase agreements," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "These new and enhanced USDA programs will accelerate production of renewable aviation fuels by U.S. farmers.

"After formally launching the 'Farm to Fly' initiative just three months ago, Secretary Vilsack has taken a leadership role in this significant endeavor for aviation and for rural America," said May. "Secretary Vilsack's announced programs will provide investors, farmers, bankers and U.S. energy companies with the confidence to invest in these proven, green technologies."

ABOUT ATA

ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate approximately 25,000 flights in 80 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesassn.

ATA also is a co-founder and sponsor of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative® (CAAFI), which seeks to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability for aviation through alternative jet fuels. As a coalition of U.S. commercial aviation interests, CAAFI stakeholders include all elements of the international commercial-aviation industry, fuel suppliers, universities and U.S. government agencies.

SOURCE Air Transport Association