Shell, Accenture, and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) have announced enhancements to their blockchain-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) platform, Avelia. The platform is set to become an industry-wide solution, facilitating broader adoption of SAF by incorporating multiple fuel suppliers beyond Shell Aviation.
Initially launched in 2022 with one million gallons of SAF, Avelia uses a book-and-claim model. This approach enables business travellers to purchase SAF and claim the associated environmental benefits, even if the fuel is unavailable at their departure airport. Developed by Shell and Accenture with support from the Energy Web Foundation, Avelia integrates Amex GBT’s travel management services to aggregate global SAF demand from its 19,000 clients. Until now, Shell has been the platform’s sole SAF supplier.
As of March 2025, more than 57 companies and airlines have joined Avelia, contributing to the injection of over 33 million gallons of SAF at 17 global airports. This has resulted in the reduction of more than 300,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, compared to conventional jet fuel.
SAF, typically produced from sustainable resources such as waste oils and agricultural residues, is considered a key tool for decarbonising the aviation industry. Producers estimate that SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional fuels. However, despite SAF being a viable solution for reducing aviation emissions, its production remains limited. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently estimated that SAF would comprise only 0.7% of airlines’ total fuel consumption by 2025. Challenges include limited supply and higher costs compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Evan Konwiser, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Amex GBT, emphasised the importance of reducing Scope 3 emissions, which often represent the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint. As a partner in Avelia, Amex GBT aims to expand access to the platform’s environmental benefits.
Avelia’s transition to a multi-supplier model allows users to access greenhouse gas benefits from various SAF suppliers and manage these within the platform. Additionally, Avelia plans to introduce a “Bring Your Own SAF” (BYOS) model, enabling airlines to manage their SAF portfolios, including fuel purchased outside the Shell network. This move supports the use of book-and-claim solutions for SAF tracking, enhancing credibility and accelerating adoption.
Raman Ojha, President of Shell Aviation, highlighted that evolving Avelia into a multi-supplier platform marks a significant milestone for both the platform and the aviation sector. This transition showcases the role of collaboration, technology, and innovation in scaling SAF.
The companies are also working on establishing a multilateral governance structure for Avelia, promoting multi-party involvement and transparency in its operations. Accenture now hosts and manages the platform’s data, ensuring a secure, reliable, and externally verified system for accessing and distributing information related to SAF offerings.
Dr. Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead at Accenture, stated that as Avelia’s strategic advisor and technology partner, Accenture is instrumental in shaping the platform’s evolution. The firm oversees data processing and hosting for Shell, ensuring data compartmentalisation and transparency, while providing a secure foundation for a flexible industry platform. This collaboration aims to advance aviation towards its climate commitments.
