Long Beach Airport Subsidizes More Than 3,000 Gallons Of Unleaded Aviation Fuel

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Airport (LGB) has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to promote the transition from leaded to unleaded aviation fuel for general aviation users. Aircraft operators have now purchased more than 3,000 gallons of unleaded fuel through its Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environment (SAFE) program.

“Long Beach is proud to be at the forefront of the transition to unleaded aviation fuel,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This initiative is an important step towards a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.”

This milestone marks a steady progression in LGB’s commitment to supporting general aviation users in adopting environmentally safer fuel options. SAFE was launched in 2024 to encourage the use of unleaded fuel by offsetting the price difference compared to the more commonly used low-leaded fuel, encouraging more pilots and aircraft owners to make the switch. Unleaded fuel is available at LGB through Signature Aviation @ Aeroplex, a fixed-base operator and fuel provider.

Of the $200,000 the Long Beach City Council approved for this initiative, which draws from Airport funds, approximately $13,000 has been allocated to date based on the 3,359 gallons of subsidized fuel sold so far. The program, which is one of the first of its kind in the country, does not apply to commercial and business jets, which already use unleaded fuel.

In addition to the subsidy program, City Council further encouraged the use of unleaded fuel by approving a fuel flowage fee waiver in 2022 for unleaded products and, in 2023, a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) reimbursement program. Thus far, LGB has processed 17 STC reimbursements, spending just over $5,000 of the available $60,000 allocated to reimburse some of the costs associated with the move to unleaded aviation fuel.

These numbers reflect only the gallons of unleaded fuel purchased through the subsidy program and the STCs reimbursed by the Airport – they do not account for unleaded fuel purchased at nearby airports for aircraft that also operate at LGB, nor do they account for pilots who complete the STC process and do not submit for reimbursement

“Long Beach Airport continues to make steady progress to support the transition to unleaded aviation fuel,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “This is an issue of national concern, and we are closely monitoring developments in the industry.”

The Clean Air Act established the statutory responsibilities of two federal agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration, for control of aircraft emissions, including standards and monitoring. The City of Long Beach has no regulatory role in relation to aircraft fuels or aircraft emissions.

The sale price of unleaded fuel for consumers can be around $4 more per gallon than leaded 100-grade low lead fuel (100LL) varieties, but SAFE allows fuel providers to sell unleaded varieties at the same price as 100LL. It is envisioned that the cost of unleaded avgas will decrease over time as demand increases.

Visit www.lgb.org/green for more information about LGB’s sustainability initiatives.

About the City of Long Beach

Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about Long Beach Airport is available at lgb.org and on Facebook, Instagram and X @LGBAirport.