Struggling to earn revenue, many airlines are finding it a challenge to make the necessary purchases to keep business flying smoothly. Fuel is among the largest of these purchases, but that's not stopping one group of airlines from seeking fuel alternatives that could save more in the long run and reduce harmful emissions too. We say bravo to that idea!

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, created in September 2008 in partnership with Boeing and Honeywell Corporation, is an initiative by aviation, energy and academic leaders to promote sustainable, second-generation bio-fuels for the aviation industry. According to the group's Web site, the user's group pledges to consider only renewable fuel sources that minimize biodiversity impacts, fuels that require minimum land, water, and energy to produce, and that don't compete with food or fresh water resources. In addition, cultivation and harvest of plant stock must provide socio-economic value to local communities. Sustainable fuels must be able to replace or be combined with existing jet fuel and utilize existing distribution, storage and fueling systems. In addition, such fuels will not require any changes to existing commercial jet engines. The group's Web site includes examples of possible sources for sustainable aviation fuel: algae, camelina, halophytes, jatropha, and non-food cellulose.

Thus far, 14 airlines have signed up as members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group. They include:

• Air France
• Air New Zealand
• Alaska Airlines
• ANA
• British Airways
• Cargolux
• Cathay Pacific
• Gulf Air
• Japan Airlines
• KLM
• SAS
• TUIfly
• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Blue

It seems as though some airlines are grabbing the proverbial bull by the horns and forging plans for emissions reductions in order to save money in the long run and to set a standard that could deter disjointed aviation environmental schemes around the globe. Airlines are trying to wean governments away from creating divergent emissions schemes on their own. The carriers prefer a broad, globally-applicable aviation emissions policy that is fair to everyone. Whether the use of alternative fuels will work in tandem with such regulations or will lead to new considerations down the road remains to be seen. Be it through economic necessity or environmental responsibility, some airlines are doing the right thing, and that's encouraging.