Title: Airport management perspectives on aviation biofuels: drivers, barriers, and policy requirements in the US Pacific Northwest

Authors: Daniel Mueller; Season Hoard; Paul Smith; Christina Sanders; Michael J. Gaffney

Addresses: School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs, Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, Hulbert Hall, Room 311C, P.O. Box 646233, Pullman, WA, 99164-6233, USA ' School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs, Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, Hulbert Hall, Room 311F, P.O. Box 646233, Pullman, WA, 99164-6233, USA ' Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 211 Agricultural Engineering Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA ' Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, Hulbert Hall, Room 311E, PO Box 646233, Pullman, WA, 99164-6233, USA ' Office of Extension Community and Economic Development Unit, Washington State University, Hulbert Hall, Room 411E, PO Box 646248, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA

Abstract: This study explores perspectives of airport management on aviation biofuels in the Pacific Northwest of the USA by administering an online survey of airport managers in FAA certified airports in the region. Respondents provided their opinions on factors important for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development in the Pacific Northwest, including perceptions of various potential drivers and barriers to scale-up in the region. Most respondents indicated that policy certainty to attract capital, higher oil prices, and technology breakthroughs are required for a viable industry, and they also indicated that government intervention is important to ensure successful adoption and implementation. Respondents indicated that aviation biofuel tax credits, a system to issue and trade sustainable biofuel certificates, and fuel sustainability certification criteria are required policies/protocol to ensure viability. We suggest that a regional approach to examining barriers, drivers, and policy requirements provides more nuanced perspectives regarding key SAF development and scale-up issues.

Keywords: sustainable jet fuel; aviation biofuel; airport management; drivers and barriers; biofuel policy; US Pacific Northwest; policy requirements; industry scale-up; policy certainty; oil prices; technological breakthroughs; government intervention; biofuel tax credits; sustainability certification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAM.2019.098380

International Journal of Aviation Management, 2019 Vol.4 No.3, pp.163 - 181

Received: 13 Oct 2017
Accepted: 11 Sep 2018
Published online: 18 Mar 2019 *