CLEARWATER, Fla., April 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Avantair Inc. (OTCBB:AAIR), (OTCBB:AAIRU), (OTCBB:AAIRW) ("Avantair"), the only publicly traded stand-alone fractional operator and the exclusive provider of fractional shares in the Piaggio Avanti P.180 aircraft, announced today that in celebration of Earth Day, it is offsetting 5 flight hours of carbon emissions for all new fractional share owners with TerraPass, the leading consumer retailer and marketer of greenhouse gas reduction offsets. TerraPass funds clean energy and efficiency projects that will reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Avantair currently produces the lowest amount of carbon emissions in its industry. The Avanti P. 180 is the most efficient of all fractional aircraft with a fuel burn of approximately 98 gallons per hour.
The company first announced its partnership with TerraPass in August 2007 and continues to utilize the "Flight TerraPass" program to aide in offsetting harmful carbon emissions, an environmental challenge facing all aircraft operators. By purchasing Flight TerraPass offsets for its new fractional share owners, Avantair takes yet another step in the movement to fight global warming.
"This Earth Day, we are pleased to continue, as the first fractional in the industry, our partnership with TerraPass in our common goal to become carbon neutral," said Avantair Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Darren Blackett. "Avantair encourages both individuals and businesses alike, to take responsibility for their impact on the environment and work together to drive change today."
TerraPass funds three different project types: clean energy produced by wind power; farm power which makes good use of animal wastes; and landfill gas capture, which reduces the impact of our own waste. To date, TerraPass has enabled the avoidance of more than 700 million pounds of CO2 pollution and empowered individuals and businesses with more than 100,000 TerraPass offsets.
"Increasingly, businesses and individuals are recognizing that their daily behavior impacts all of our futures," said Erik Blachford, Chief Executive Officer of TerraPass. "Thanks to companies like Avantair and its commitment to the environment, we are making headway toward reducing carbon emissions and raising awareness among businesses and consumers that they can take action individually to advance that effort."
About Avantair
Avantair, with operations in 5 states and approximately 300 employees, offers private travel solutions for individuals and companies at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership. Headquartered in Clearwater, FL, the Company is the sole North American provider of fractional aircraft shares in the Piaggio Avanti P.180 aircraft. Avantair is the fifth largest company in the North American fractional aircraft industry and the only stand-alone fractional operator. The Company currently manages a fleet of 42 fractional aircraft plus 7 core planes, with another 63 Piaggio Avanti IIs on order through 2012. For more information about Avantair, please visit: http://www.avantair.com.
About TerraPass
Launched in 2004, TerraPass is the leading consumer retailer and marketer of greenhouse gas reduction offsets. Over 100,000 TerraPasses have been sold to individuals, families and businesses to balance out the global warming impact of their flying, driving and home energy use. Together, TerraPass customers have reduced more than 700 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the primary cause of climate change. TerraPass works by funding clean energy and carbon reduction projects throughout the U.S., including wind power, farm power, and landfill gas capture. Every TerraPass offset purchase and marketing claim is audited according to standards set by the nonprofit Center for Resources Solutions, creator of Green-e, the nation's leading renewable energy certification program. For more information visit www.terrapass.com.