Nature Air

Natureair has just started Costa Rica’s first alternative fueling station thru its own aviation fueling company, Aerotica. Since June 2008, Aerotica has been offering biodiesel, in addition to aviation gas and jet fuel.

Natureair purchased this fifty year old business in 2003, three years after creating Costa Rica’s only carbon neutral airline, recently recognized by the United Nations Environmental Program for this achievement. According to Alexi Huntley Khajavi, Commercial Director for the airline, “ We originally purchased Aerotica to ensure that our most important resource would be of the highest quality and that the fueling process would be controlled by Natureair. We take on-time performance very seriously and if we can directly manage our fuel trucks and ensure that they will give priority to fueling our planes, we eliminate crucial variables to our successful operations.”

Currently, the airline purchases the refined biodiesel from a local provider, while the supply is complemented by cooking oil brought in from the homes of Natureair employees. According to Mr. Khajavi, they are analyzing their ability to sell biodiesel on a retail basis in the future.

Aerotica began in 1960 and they are located at Tobias Bolanas International Airport, which is also the central hub for Natureair. While not directly involved in the costly development of a sustainable aviation fuel, the airline is cautiously optimistic that there will be a viable alternative fuel in the next five years. Based on its commitments to the environment at present, it is a guarantee they will be at the head of the line for their fleet.

During the recent economic boom, green business practices were definitely the fad. Now that times are becoming increasingly difficult, rest assured that many of those green champions are going to quietly drop out of the race. Natureair is even more dedicated to being the world’s most environmentally friendly airline, in spite of the very difficult challenges in this current marketplace.

Natureair is fully committed to Aerotica as a fueling facility, along with their flight school and biodiesel program, in addition to their successful carbon compensation and reduction mission. NatureKids, their incredibly important educational program, shows no signs at all of slowing down.

Costa Rica has a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on its well earned reputation as an ecotourist destination by also having businesses that are striving to be carbon neutral and encouraging environmentally sensitive strategies as well. Natureair is one of those businesses leading the way.

In referring to Aerotica’s contribution, CEO and Natureair founder, Alex E. Khajavi, offers, “This program is an important milestone in Natureair’s dedication to protecting the environment and conserving our natural resources