#USA #Dallas/Fort Worth #Breakthrough Energy #sustainable aviation #oneworld

oneworld Alliance Partners with Breakthrough Energy Ventures

In a significant step towards sustainability in aviation, the oneworld alliance, alongside its member airlines, announced the launch of a new investment fund dedicated to the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies. This initiative, unveiled on September 18, 2025, aims to tackle the growing demand for lower-carbon aviation fuel options by recognizing and addressing the challenges related to the high costs and limited availability of current sustainable fuel solutions.

A Major Financial Commitment

The newly established oneworld BEV Fund has an initial fundraising target of $150 million, spearheaded by cornerstone investors Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, with additional contributions from other premier carriers in the alliance, such as International Airlines Group (IAG), Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. This collaborative effort underscores a shared vision of advancing the aviation industry's shift towards green technologies, reducing its carbon footprint significantly.

Addressing Industry Needs

The goals of the oneworld BEV Fund are multifaceted. It intends to:

• - Identify and invest in next-generation sustainable aviation fuel technologies.
• - Propel the market for alternative fuels to meet the long-term requirements of the global aviation industry.
• - Generate economic value for investors and regions worldwide.
• - Stimulate technological innovation and create a diverse, resilient supply chain for sustainable aviation fuels.

The CEOs of key airlines within the alliance expressed their enthusiasm for this venture. Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines and Chairman of oneworld, highlighted that this investment represents a strategic business choice aimed at enhancing future developments in fuel technology that can be scaled economically. He stated, "By investing in the SAF technologies of the future, we are making a business decision to accelerate the development of new technologies that can be implemented on a larger scale at lower costs than current technologies."

Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, noted the importance of partnering with oneworld carriers to invest in innovative and cost-competitive SAF technologies, emphasizing the role of Breakthrough Energy Ventures in helping to make informed investment decisions that could reshape the fuel market.

The Role of Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Acting as the investment manager for the fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures brings extensive expertise in climate technology. The fund, conceived with a long-term vision, aims to develop fuel technologies with the highest potential to reduce sector emissions while ensuring commercial viability. Eric Toone, Chief Technology Officer at Breakthrough Energy, stated, "Sustainable aviation fuel is integral to addressing the industry's environmental impact and represents a substantial commercial opportunity. The oneworld BEV Fund is designed to identify and scale breakthrough SAF technologies to genuinely reduce emissions and offer cost competition to fossil fuels."

Industry Impact

The aviation industry currently generates around $4.1 trillion in economic activity and supports approximately 86.5 million jobs. Nonetheless, it accounts for about 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, alongside other environmental implications. While airlines continue to invest in modern aircraft and enhanced efficiency, the demand for air travel is predicted to rise in the coming decades. SAF has the potential to minimize lifecycle emissions of aviation fuel by as much as 80% compared to conventional fuel alternatives.

Unfortunately, the current generation of SAF faces several challenges, including a lack of necessary investments to scale production competitively to meet market needs. The oneworld alliance and its partners are committed to supporting new technologies that can ensure the availability of cost-effective SAF while addressing environmental impacts.

A Call for Collective Action

Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG, noted the critical role of collective efforts in driving sustainability initiatives within the aviation sector. He stated, "As leading airlines, we must collaborate to accelerate progress. The announcement today underscores the potential of partnership and illustrates how top airlines can unite to take action."

The collaboration among oneworld members signifies an important milestone in addressing the unique challenges that the aviation industry faces as it navigates the transition to a sustainable future. This initiative not only reflects the commitment of these airlines to reducing carbon emissions but also reinforces the crucial nexus between aviation and environmental responsibility.

As the world looks toward a greener future, the oneworld BEV Fund serves as a beacon of hope, highlighting the aviation sector's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration as essential elements for achieving significant progress in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.