Southwest’s CHOOOSE™ portal empowers customers with sustainable aviation fuel options, breaking barriers and fostering a greener future while enhancing corporate engagement in environmental sustainability.
In a significant stride towards a greener future, Southwest Airlines has extended an initiative to let its customers choose sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for their travels. The option was first made available to its clients in a beta program in 2021, and in taking it a step further, the fuel will now be made available through a newly-formed self-service online portal – CHOOOSE™.
A pricing barrier has hindered airlines from seamlessly integrating SAF into operational frameworks, for which Southwest Airlines looks to offer a solution, in collaboration with its clients.
It’s important to highlight that the establishment of a comprehensive, trustworthy, and transparent market for SAF Claims on a large scale is an ongoing collaborative effort within the aviation industry. Notably, Southwest Airlines plays an active role in contributing to these industry-wide initiatives.
In its initiative, the option will be made available to corporate customers through namely ‘SAF Claims’ and/or ‘Carbon Offsets’, available for purchase through its customer-focused web portal ‘Southwest Business Assist.’
‘Southwest Business Assist’ is Southwest’s self-service web portal available to customers to simplify managing corporate travel account(s), making it easier-than-ever for passengers to opt in for SAF claims. The new initiative greatly increases the number of its customers who can now opt for eco-friendly flights.
The commencement of the SAF Beta Program by Southwest Airlines in October 2021 set the stage for a limited number of corporate clients to contribute to the fuel’s emerging recognition. In the beta program, clients could choose Customer Scope 3 SAF, a variant used in Southwest’s operations.
In its recent-most press release, Southwest highlighted its aim to avoid, reduce, or remove carbon, where it sees the development of in-sector technologies as a big step. Moreover, it suggested how its web tool’s customizability will cater to its customers’ individual priorities, budgets, and strategy.
SAF and its associated environmental benefits are linked to the quantity of pure SAF obtained and supplied to an airline. Using the option, its customers have the opportunity to acquire Customer SAF Claims regardless of their geographic distance from Southwest’s SAF utilization point.
Along with independent customer SAF claims, the platform allows purchases of carbon offsets from a selected portfolio of projects including the Delta Blue Carbon mangrove restoration project.
“We are hearing from more and more corporate Customers that SAF is an important part of their decarbonization plans for business travel. We are excited to evolve our offerings to help meet this demand and allow more corporate Customers to participate,” said Helen Giles, Managing Director Environmental Sustainability at Southwest Airlines. “Our valued corporate Customers have supported Southwest’s use of SAF in our operations, and we continue to recognize the importance of bringing them along in our environmental sustainability journey.”
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Southwest Airlines proudly affirms its commitment to sustainable aviation practices, actively engaging in shaping the trajectory of the industry. This milestone initiative epitomizes the airline’s dedication to fostering a greener and more responsible future while offering corporate Customers the means to partake in this transformative journey.
