MAF’s Cessna Caravan fleet becomes carbon neutral

17th November 2025

MAF’s Cessna Caravans are now part of Textron’s SustainableAdvantage programme (credit: Andrew Sink)

MAF’s Cessna fleet has joined Textron’s SustainableAdvantage programme (Andrew Sink)

As COP 30’s climate talks draw to a close, MAF has announced its commitment to offset carbon emissions from its 31 Cessna Caravans. MAF’s offsets will fund a cookstove project in Madagascar in partnership with aircraft manufacturer Textron Aviation and 4AIR, which offers aviation sustainability solutions…

MAF has enrolled all 31 of its Cessna Caravans into Textron Aviation’s ‘SustainableAdvantage’ programme in a bid to reduce the charity’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30% by 2035.

This is in response to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s call for all international aviation to be ‘net zero’ by 2050.

MAF’s Cessna fleet – predominantly Grand Caravans – have been manufactured by Textron Aviation who launched its SustainableAdvantage programme last year.

The carbon footprint of every MAF Cessna flight will be measured and offset (credit: Mark & Kelly Hewes)

Carbon footprints of every Cessna flight will be measured & offset (credit: M./K. Hewes)

The carbon footprint of every MAF Cessna Caravan flight will be measured in collaboration with 4Air’s ‘Bronze’ initiative, which offers aircraft owners the opportunity to offset 100% of their carbon footprint through a range of sustainable projects, thus becoming ‘carbon neutral’.

Each flight is equivalent to a number of carbon credits, which are used to offset carbon emissions elsewhere.

MAF will offset flights with cookstove project

Benyamin makes a cookstove combustion chamber out of clay (credit: Native)

MAF’s carbon credits will fund a cookstove project, which employs over 130 people across seven production and distribution centres around Madagascar.

The team build, distribute and install solar and efficient cookstoves for families, businesses and the public sector, replacing open fires used for cooking.

Cookstoves are more energy efficient, cleaner and safer than open fires, which are more dangerous and harmful to the environment.

Open fires are more dangerous and harmful to the environment (credit: Irina Randriamandrato)

Open fires are more dangerous & harmful to the environment (credit: I.Randriamandrato)

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around a third of the global population cook using open fires or inefficient stoves, which cause harmful household air pollution.

This can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, strokes and respiratory illnesses, causing 3.2 million deaths per year. In 2020, more than 237,000 children under the age of five died from such diseases.

As per the WHO, women & children bear the brunt of household pollution (credit: Mark & Kelly Hewes)

The WHO: Women & children bear the brunt of household pollution (credit: M./K. Hewes)

Given that it’s mostly women and children in low-income countries who are responsible for cooking and collecting firewood, they bear the brunt of the consequences.

Cookstoves reduce firewood consumption and greenhouse gases, conserve forests, save time spent on collecting firewood, and ultimately improve air quality, which leads to better health outcomes.

In addition to providing training on how to use cookstoves, the project also reduces deforestation and air pollution whilst creating jobs for Malagasy people.

Cookstoves are installed at Les Saphirs School in Antohamadiro, Madagascar (credit: Native)

Cookstoves are installed at Les Saphirs School in Antohamadiro (credit: Native)

MAF International’s CEO, Donovan Palmer, says the charity has a responsibility to protect the environment as well as serving the most isolated people on earth:

‘MAF’s aim is to use our flights to bring life-saving opportunities to some of the world’s most isolated communities.

‘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% by 2035.’

Donovan Palmer, CEO of MAF International

Ampasinambo Village – MAF serves the isolated whilst respecting the environment (credit: Patrick Keller)

Ampasinambo: MAF serves the isolated & respects the environment (credit: P. Keller)

Building a sustainable future together

Textron is delighted to have MAF on board, says Kriya Shortt – Textron Aviation’s Senior Vice President of Global Parts and Distribution:

‘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 programme is a powerful example of how aviation can be a force for good — connecting people, delivering aid and doing so responsibly.

‘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.’

A MAF Cessna is loaded with drugs & vitamins for Marolambo (credit: Gino Antsatiana Randrianasolo)

A MAF Cessna is loaded with drugs for Marolambo (credit: Gino Antsatiana Randrianasolo)

4AIR is the first provider of comprehensive sustainability solutions for business and general aviation. It’s all about partnership, says Nancy Bsales – COO of 4AIR:

‘We are thrilled to support MAF International’s sustainability goals through our partnership with Textron.

‘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.’

MAF makes a ‘positive impact’ in rural communities like Anjabetrongo (credit: Mark & Kelly Hewes)

MAF makes a ‘positive impact’ in communities like Anjabetrongo (credit: M./K. Hewes)

MAF’s Cessna Caravan fleet becomes carbon neutral

17th November 2025

MAF will offset flights with cookstove project

Building a sustainable future together

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