CLEARWATER, Fla., April 20, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avantair, Inc., (OTCBB:AAIR), the only publicly traded stand-alone private aircraft operator and the current leader of fractional aircraft ownership in the light jet cabin category, has announced that, in honor of Earth Day, it will offset hours of carbon emissions for all new fractional owners, Edge Card and Axis Club members with TerraPass, the leading retailer and marketer of greenhouse gas reduction offsets. TerraPass was launched in 2004 and funds clean energy and efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gases.
Avantair's exclusive aircraft also produces the lowest amount of carbon emissions in the industry, featuring innovative engineering that reduces the planes CO2 output by approximately 35 percent compared with other fractional providers' aircraft. To further the company's continued effort to provide "greener" private aviation, Avantair partnered with TerraPass in 2007 and was the first fractional aircraft operator to offset carbon emissions. This year, Avantair will offset over two million pounds of CO2. To date, Avantair has offset a total of 7.8 million pounds of CO2 through the Flight TerraPass program.
"We're spearheading the shift towards eco-conscious travel in the aviation industry which is attributed to the efficiency and design of our fleet of Piaggio Avanti aircraft," said Avantair CEO Steven Santo. "Our relationship with TerraPass continues to thrive and we encourage others—businesses and individuals alike—to take responsibility for the effect they have on the environment and counteract that impact."
Contributing to clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction projects throughout the U.S., TerraPass credits fund three types programs: (1) clean energy such as wind; (2) farm power such as dairy farm methane digesters; and (3) landfill gas capture which reduces the impact of human waste. This partnership allows Avantair the unique ability to provide luxurious private jet travel while also maintaining a minimal carbon footprint when compared to competitors.
The company's commitment to provide environmentally responsible private aviation, as well as an emphasis on efficiency and value, has allowed Avantair to experience tremendous growth in a down economy. Avantair has been cited for its contributions to the private travel industry's turnaround thanks to its cost-saving, fuel efficient aircraft and streamlined operations model. In fact, business aircraft flight activity last month rose 8.5 percent from a year ago according to data recently released by Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US).
About Avantair
Avantair, the only publicly traded stand-alone private aircraft operator and the sole North American provider of fractional shares, flight time cards and Axis Club Membership in the Piaggio Avanti aircraft, is headquartered in Clearwater, FL, with approximately 450 employees. The Company offers private travel solutions for individuals and businesses traveling within its service area, which includes the continental United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership. The Company currently manages a fleet of 55 aircraft, with another 53 Piaggio Avanti aircraft on order through 2013. For more information about Avantair, please visit: www.avantair.com.
About TerraPass Inc.
Launched in 2004, TerraPass Inc. works with developers of greenhouse gas reduction projects to bring to market verified carbon credits. TerraPass Carbon Management Services now manages a portfolio of 22 carbon reduction projects across the United States, focusing on agricultural methane, forestry and land use, and landfill gas. The company sells credits verified under the Climate Action Reserve and Voluntary Carbon Standard to voluntary and compliance purchasers, and is also a leading retailer of carbon offsets and consumer energy efficiency products through its website. For more information, visit http://www.terrapass.com/">www.terrapass.com or call +1 (415) 692 3411.