Women Driving Culture This Week

Women are not just part of the conversation—they are leading it, shaping the trends, and making the key decisions that propel the industry forward. Their influence is being felt in the aviation industry in subtle ways. Here is what that looked like this week:

During Climate Week NYC 2024, Etosha (Eee-tah-sha) Cave, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Twelve, participated in a panel titled "Pillars of the Green Transition," which focused on how new technologies can combat climate change, particularly through carbon transformation. Twelve, a company specializing in carbon transformation, uses electrochemistry to convert captured carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals, fuels, and other essential products typically derived from fossil fuels.

Just a week before the event, Twelve announced that it secured a $645 million investment led by TPG Rise Climate, marking one of the largest funding rounds in the sustainable fuels industry. This investment will accelerate the company's mission to produce sustainable fuels and products from CO2. Twelve has also received grants from the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the US National Science Foundation (NSF), the US U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Echoing Green, Peter Thiel's Breakout Labs, and the Molecular Foundry.

A significant portion of the newly raised funds will go toward completing Twelve's first large-scale facility, AirPlant One, in Washington, slated to open in 2025. This facility will produce E-Jet, a sustainable jet fuel made from CO2, water, and renewable energy, with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel. At the panel, Cave emphasized how this investment will enable Twelve to scale production and reduce costs, making the technology more accessible and impactful. 

Twelve's recent achievements, including raising $645 million from investors such as TPG and Alaska Airlines, signal a pivotal moment for the company and the clean aviation sector. This marks one of the largest investments in clean jet fuel technology to date, with the aviation industry being a major contributor to global emissions. Startups like Twelve are addressing this challenge through innovative processes like "industrial photosynthesis" to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Twelve’s Washington state plant is expected to begin production in 2025, making this a critical investment for cleaner air travel and aviation sustainability. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Etosha Cave is one of the key stakeholders shaping sustainability in aviation. Her active participation in high-profile discussions like that at #ClimateWeekNYC 🗽 elevates the conversation around carbon transformation and its essential role in achieving a fossil-free future. Twelve’s significant funding success, coupled with their presence at Climate Week, marks a turning point for both the company and the broader climate tech sector. I think Cave’s unique blend of scientific expertise and strategic vision highlights how technological innovation and public engagement can drive meaningful change.

California made history by becoming the first state in the U.S. to ban the sale of leaded aviation gasoline, also called avgas, which is used in small planes. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law on September 22, 2024, and it will take effect on January 1, 2031.

Senator Caroline Menjivar from the San Fernando Valley introduced the bill, SB 1193, because of concerns about the health impacts of lead, especially on children living near airports. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious damage to the brain and nervous system, particularly in young children. Menjivar emphasized that many low-income and minority communities are most affected by this pollution.

While the bill was celebrated by environmental and health groups, it faced pushback from the aviation industry. Industry leaders argued that 2031 is too soon to switch to unleaded fuels because many planes still depend on leaded avgas. They expressed concerns that planes may not be fully tested and ready to run safely on new fuel alternatives by that deadline.

This new law will have major implications for California's aviation industry and public health. For the aviation industry, the clock is now ticking to develop, test, and approve safer, unleaded fuel alternatives for planes. This will likely require significant investment in research and modifications to aircraft. Failure to adapt could create challenges for small aircraft operators, who may not be able to use their planes if leaded avgas is no longer available.

On the other hand, for the communities living near airports, this law represents a big step forward in reducing harmful lead pollution. Children and families in these areas, many of whom have lived with higher levels of lead in their blood due to airport emissions, will benefit from cleaner air and better health outcomes over time. READ MORE

MY TAKE:

This law is a bold move toward cleaner air and healthier communities, and Senator Menjivar showed real determination in getting it passed, despite the pushback. While the aviation industry will need time and effort to adjust, the long-term benefits for public health, especially for vulnerable children, make this change worth the challenge. This legislation could also inspire other states to take similar action. As California often leads the way in environmental policy, it’s possible that more states, and eventually the entire country, will follow California’s lead in banning leaded aviation fuel.

Lilit Avetikyan, originally from Armenia, is the CEO and founder of VOYEX Living, a private jet company based in Dubai. An expert in the private aviation industry, she has transformed the luxury travel experience for the ultra-wealthy. Her role goes beyond booking flights; she offers a "360-degree" luxury lifestyle service that caters to every unique request of her clients. Whether it's arranging specific fast-food meals like Big Macs and KFC onboard at 3 a.m. or securing tickets to exclusive events like the Oscars, Lilit ensures every detail is tailored to her clients' desires.

Voyex boasts access to over 20,000 private jets worldwide, including some that are like "small villas in the air." These jets can be ready for takeoff within hours, serving an elite clientele of celebrities, government officials, and royalty. Lilit's commitment to personalized service reflects the abundance mindset prevalent in Dubai, a city rapidly becoming a haven for millionaires.

Dubai is experiencing an influx of wealth, with over 6,700 millionaires expected to move to the UAE in 2024 alone. This surge is fueling the demand for luxury services like private aviation. The city's reputation as a global hub for luxury and business makes it an attractive destination for the world's wealthiest individuals.

However, the rapid growth of the private jet industry also raises environmental concerns. Private jets have a significantly higher carbon footprint per passenger compared to commercial flights, leading to debates about sustainability and environmental responsibility. While companies like Voyex acknowledge these concerns, Lilit believes her clients shouldn't feel guilty about enjoying the luxury they can afford. Efforts are being made to explore sustainable options like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), but widespread adoption is still in progress. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Lilit Avetikyan exemplifies how women entrepreneurs can significantly impact the aviation industry by innovating and catering to emerging markets like Dubai's ultra-wealthy clientele. Her journey from Armenia to leading a luxury private jet company highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving industry growth and global connectivity. By offering personalized, high-end services, she not only propels the aviation sector forward but also brings attention to the need to balance luxury with environmental responsibility.