MAF International's fleet of 31 Cessna Caravan aircrafts are now carbon neutral as a sign of our positive commitment to safeguard and respect the environment and the people we serve.
MAF has joined forces with Textron Aviation’s SustainableAdvantage programme and aviation sustainability leader 4AIR, to fully offset the carbon emissions produced by our Cessna Caravan fleet. Aircraft are a critical element to MAF’s mission to save and enhance life in communities where ground access is impractical or impossible.
Through the SustainableAdvantage programme, all MAF International Cessna Caravan flights are now carbon neutral — a commitment which demonstrates our dedication to environmental stewardship as part of our mission to bring help, hope and healing through aviation to people living in isolation and poverty.
“MAF’s aim is to use our flights to bring life-saving opportunities to some of the world’s most isolated communities," said MAF International CEO Donovan Palmer.
“Those we serve understand the importance of protecting the environment – both to preserve their heritage and secure future livelihoods.
“We are proud to be part of an initiative that will respect the values of isolated communities and support MAF’s own environmental aims. This carbon offsetting plan is a key, early step in our long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions in proportion to our flying by up to 30 per cent by 2035.”
MAF International’s fleet consists of 31 Cessna 208 aircraft, the majority being the Grand Caravan manufactured by Textron Aviation. These aircraft were chosen for their rugged design, ability to operate in remote areas with extreme weather changes, and capability to land on water, in jungle clearings and on rough airstrips.
In 2024, Textron Aviation launched its SustainableAdvantage programme with 4AIR to offer an easy path for Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft owners to mitigate carbon emissions from their flights. As part of its ProAdvantage support services, the Textron Aviation programme offers owners the ability to offset 100 per cent of their carbon footprint with 4AIR’s Bronze Level.
“At Textron Aviation, we are committed to supporting our customers in the work that matters most to them. MAF enrolling their Caravan fleet in our SustainableAdvantage program is a powerful example of how aviation can be a force for good — connecting people, delivering aid and doing so responsibly,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Textron Aviation Global Parts and Distribution.
“We are honoured our aircraft and sustainability solutions help enable their mission, and it’s a reminder that whether in commercial or humanitarian operations, we all have a part to play in building a more sustainable future.”
The programme connects MAF to 4AIR — the first provider of comprehensive sustainability solutions for business and general aviation. 4AIR offers a sustainability framework that easily allows fleets of all sizes — from solo pilots to large corporate flight departments — to offset their emissions through a portfolio of verified carbon offset projects. Carbon offsets reduce emissions elsewhere, which can be claimed against the carbon emissions from operating aircraft.
Through the Textron Aviation and 4AIR SustainableAdvantage programme, MAF has selected to offset its aircrafts’ carbon footprint by supporting a project that delivers cookstoves in Madagascar.
By distributing efficient cooking stoves to rural households, these communities no longer need to prepare meals over open flames — often inside their homes — a practice that leads to respiratory illnesses and heart problems. This issue disproportionately affects women and children. The cookstove project reduces firewood consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, conserves forests and woodlands, saves families hours of time collecting firewood, and, importantly, improves the health conditions of their homes due to improved indoor air quality.
“We are thrilled to support MAF International’s sustainability goals through our partnership with Textron Aviation,” says Nancy Bsales, Chief Operating Officer of 4AIR.
“This partnership shows how easy it is for every aircraft operator to achieve meaningful emission reductions. Through programmes such as the cookstove project, we can help MAF International make a positive impact on the health of communities in Madagascar, improve air quality, and continue its mission of providing necessary services to those in need.”