As pressure from climate change activists grows on the airline industry, jetblue said Jan. 6 it will become the first major U.S. airline to offset the carbon emissions of all its domestic flights, aiming to become carbon neutral by July, bloomberg reported.

Jetblue flights from San Francisco international airport will also begin using sustainable aviation fuel.

Jetblue declined to disclose the cost of its carbon offset program, but said it wouldn't raise fares as a result. Jetblue emits about 8 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, and the airline is working on a carbon offset plan for international flights, said Sophia Mendelsohn, head of sustainability at jetblue.

Jetblue is following the example of easyjet, Europe's second-largest budget carrier. In November, easyjet announced it would become the first airline to offset carbon emissions from its flights. Germany and Sweden are seeing fewer domestic flights as concerns grow about the aviation industry's impact on climate change.

Jetblue CEO Robin Hayes said: "this is part of a long-term commitment that we and the industry must make to reflect climate reality. The aviation industry has an important role to play in making sure it is prepared for the new climate we live in."

Source: civil aviation resources network