NatureAir launches Alternative Fueling station

NatureAir, the world’s first carbon neutral airline, has extended its dedication to clean energy and sustainability with the launch of Costa Rica’s first alternative fueling station, through its own aviation fueling company – Aerotica.

Every liter of household cooking oil that is flushed down the drain pollutes nearly one million liters of Costa Rican river waters. In an effort to keep these waters clean NatureAir, the world’s first carbon neutral airline, has started Costa Rica’s first alternative fueling station, through its own aviation fueling company – Aerotica.

Since June of 2008, Aerotica has been providing bio-diesel in addition to its sales of aviation and jet fuel. The bio-diesel is produced from a mixture of recycled vegetable and cooking oils, and can be run in any vehicle accustomed to diesel.

NatureAir is the first airline in Central America to run its entire ground operations equipment and fleet of diesel vehicles off of this biodegradable fuel. This alternative fuel is estimated to reduce nearly 49,256 gallons of CO2 emissions per year.

“This program is an important milestone in NatureAir’s dedication to protecting the environment and conserving our nature resources,” said NatureAir Founder and CEO Alex E. Khajavi. “We wanted to do something beyond our carbon-neutrality airline program. The world’s natural resources are precious and this alternative fuel program is a step in the right direction to keeping our air and waters healthy.”

A majority of the recycled vegetable oil comes from NatureAir employees, each of whom were given their own canisters for collecting cooking oil in their homes to later bring the previously discarded oil to Aerotica where it is then converted to bio-diesel. The fuel helps keep the country’s waters free from pollution, significantly reduces smog production, and keeps vehicle motors cleaner than regular diesel or gasoline.

Currently Aerotica is a private fueling station for only personal company distribution and use but with the help of the Costa Rican government that may soon change. NatureAir is in talks with the government to be able to open Aerotica bio-fuel sales to other Costa Rican companies.

“Aerotica has been selling regular gasoline for over 50 years, therefore it was a proud day when we were able to bring the next generation of sustainable and responsible fuel to Costa Rica. While we may be the first to use bio-diesel, we certainly hope other companies will soon have the capabilities to run their vehicles off of cleaner and less expensive sources of energy,” said Mr. Khajavi.

NatureAir is the world’s first certified carbon neutral airline, and the fastest growing regional airline in Central America. Since its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers annually to more than 140,000 in 2008. The company got its start with one plane and 17 employees. Now it has a fleet of eight planes and more than 150 employees. NatureAir is the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica, and Panama. The Rainforest Alliance, Conde Nast Traveler and Virgin Holidays have recognized NatureAir for its sustainability efforts, as100% of its carbon emissions from flight operations are offset through conservation and reforestation. NatureAir is the exclusive Central American airline for the best hotels and tour operators worldwide. It is known for its award winning on-time performance and its staff’s adventurous spirits. For more information visit: www.natureair.com.

To learn more about NatueAir’s bio-diesel efforts visit its Nature Blog.

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air travel, airlines, biofuel, Costa Rica, jet fuel, NatureAir