Mission Aviation Fellowship International's fleet becomes carbon neutral thanks to partnership with Textron Aviation and 4Air

• MAF International's fleet of 31 Cessna Caravans are now carbon neutral thanks to Textron Aviation's SustainableAdvantage programme, offsetting carbon emissions for its global humanitarian aid flights in collaboration with 4AIR.

• MAF’s offsets will directly fund a verified cookstove project in Madagascar, linking aviation sustainability to global health and poverty alleviation

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Global humanitarian charity Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) International has joined Textron Aviation’s SustainableAdvantage programme, powered by aviation sustainability leader 4AIR, to fully offset carbon emissions of its 30-aircraft fleet. MAF flights transport non-profit, mission and humanitarian organizations to deliver aid, medical care and disaster relief to remote and isolated communities.

Aircraft are critical to MAF’s mission to save and enhance life in communities where ground access is impractical or impossible. Through the SustainableAdvantage programme, all MAF Cessna Caravan flights will be carbon neutral — a commitment which demonstrates the organization is as dedicated to environmental stewardship as it is to humanitarian aid.

“MAF’s aim is to use our flights to bring life-saving opportunities to some of the world’s most isolated communities," said MAF International CEO Donovan Palmer.

“Those we serve understand the importance of protecting the environment – both to preserve their heritage and secure future livelihoods. We are proud to be part of an initiative that will respect the values of isolated communities and support MAF’s own environmental aims. This carbon offsetting plan is a key, early step in our long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions in proportion to our flying by up to 30 per cent by 2035.”

MAF International’s fleet consists of 31 Cessna 208 aircraft, the majority being the Grand Caravan manufactured by Textron Aviation. These aircraft were chosen for their rugged design, ability to operate in remote areas with extreme weather changes, and capability to land on water, in jungle clearings and on rough airstrips.

In 2024, Textron Aviation launched its SustainableAdvantage programme with 4AIR to offer an easy path for Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft owners to mitigate carbon emissions from their flights. As part of its ProAdvantage support services, the Textron Aviation programme offers owners the ability to offset 100% of their carbon footprint with 4AIR’s Bronze Level.

“At Textron Aviation, we are committed to supporting our customers in the work that matters most to them. MAF enrolling their Caravan fleet in our SustainableAdvantage program is a powerful example of how aviation can be a force for good — connecting people, delivering aid and doing so responsibly,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Textron Aviation Global Parts and Distribution. “We are honored our aircraft and sustainability solutions help enable their mission, and it’s a reminder that whether in commercial or humanitarian operations, we all have a part to play in building a more sustainable future.”

The programme connects MAF to 4AIR — the first provider of comprehensive sustainability solutions for business and general aviation. 4AIR offers a sustainability framework that easily allows fleets of all sizes — from solo pilots to large corporate flight departments — to offset their emissions through a portfolio of verified carbon offset projects. Carbon offsets reduce emissions elsewhere, which can be claimed against the carbon emissions from operating aircraft.

Through the Textron Aviation and 4AIR SustainableAdvantage programme, MAF has selected to offset its aircrafts’ carbon footprint by supporting a project that delivers cookstoves in Madagascar. By distributing efficient cooking stoves to rural households, these communities no longer need to prepare meals over open flames — often inside their homes — a practice that leads to respiratory illnesses and heart problems. This issue disproportionately affects women and children. The cookstove project reduces firewood consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, conserves forests and woodlands, saves families hours of time collecting firewood, and, importantly, improves the health conditions of their homes due to improved indoor air quality.

“We are thrilled to support MAF International’s sustainability goals through our partnership with Textron Aviation,” says Nancy Bsales, Chief Operating Officer of 4AIR. “This partnership shows how easy it is for every aircraft operator to achieve meaningful emission reductions. Through programmes such as the cookstove project, we can help MAF International make a positive impact on the health of communities in Madagascar, improve air quality, and continue its mission of providing necessary services to those in need.”

About Mission Aviation Fellowship International:
Millions of people cannot access basic medical care, clean water, food or education, simply because it's too dangerous or time-consuming to reach them. Mission Aviation Fellowship provides flights and technology solutions to over 1,600 aid, development and mission organisations so the world's remotest communities can access the essentials they need to survive. Every six minutes, an MAF aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in 25 low-income countries, flying lifesaving help to some of the remotest places on earth. For further details visit mafint.org.

About 4AIR:
4AIR is an aviation industry pioneer offering sustainability solutions beyond just simple carbon neutrality. Its innovative framework provides turnkey voluntary sustainability programmes available by the hour, and its full-service compliance programme helps set environmental regulatory obligations on autopilot. From verified carbon offsets and removals to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), contrail mitigation and new technologies, 4AIR has a framework in place to comprehensively support all pillars of aviation sustainability. For further details, visit www.4air.aero.

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Media Contacts:
MAF International
Textron Aviation
4AIR

Hannah Robbins
Peppercomm
Mobile: 925-413-0232
Email: 4AIR@peppercomm.com