Finland-headed Neste Oyj, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from waste and residue raw materials, is supplying three US air carriers with SAF for flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California (CA). The fuel will assist Alaska Airlines Inc., American Airlines Inc., and JetBlue Airways Inc. in their efforts to reach their respective climate goals.
In 2018, Neste joined SFO along with airlines, and other fuel producers in a groundbreaking agreement to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Today, Neste and these partner airlines are delivering on that promise.
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways are the first major US airlines to commit to adopting Neste’s SAF at SFO, building on their strong track records of sustainability. All three airlines took their first deliveries of Neste’s SAF at SFO within the last few weeks.
Alaska was the first North American carrier to commit to advancing and adopting the use of SAF, and one of the first airlines to demonstrate the use of SAF in passenger flying with nearly 80 flights using sustainable aviation fuel over the last 10 years. As we return to and re-grow air travel, we’re thrilled to take this next step towards commercially viable supply and use of SAF. We have a long way to go. Being a responsible airline is critical to our employees, guests, communities, and our future – and using SAF is a key part of our strategy to reduce carbon emissions, said Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska Airlines’VP of External Relations.
Distributed via pipeline
Neste’s SAF is supplied to SFO via pipeline, a milestone the airport has called a “climate quantum leap”. Once it enters SFO’s fuel consortium storage, it is available to the commercial, cargo, or business aviation entities that operate at the airport.
Even in these difficult circumstances, setting up our airline to operate more sustainably is important to us, our team members and our customers. We have a vision for the future of American that includes advancing the most promising options for reducing carbon emissions from air travel, and sustainable aviation fuel is chief among them. We have been working with Neste, a leader in renewable fuels, for a number of years, and we’re proud to take this step to boost the market for sustainable jet fuel, said David Seymour, CEO, American Airlines.
Made from sustainably sourced, 100 percent renewable waste and residue materials, Neste’s SAF can be used as a drop-in fuel with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure, requiring no extra investment.
Furthermore, according to Neste, in its neat form and over the lifecycle, it helps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuel.
Air travel connects people and cultures and supports a global economy. As an industry, we’re working together to limit our contributions to climate change. Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is an important part of JetBlue Airways’ business plan. We remain focused on long-term environmental opportunities, particularly lessening our largest impact – carbon emissions from flying. The airline industry is one of the few industries that has collectively committed to an international emissions reduction goal. Now more than ever, we must also support other industry-wide environmental improvements like sustainable aviation fuel in order to kick-start the market on these lower-carbon fuels said Joanna Geraghty, President, and CEO of JetBlue Airways.
Additional capacity underway
Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel annual capacity is currently 100 000 tonnes (34 million US gallons or c. 128.7 million litres). With the Singapore refinery expansion underway, and with possible additional investment into the Rotterdam refinery in the Netherlands, Neste will have the capacity to produce some 1.5 million tonnes (515 million US gallons or c. 1.95 billion litres) of SAF annually by 2023.
Prior to use, Neste’s SAF is blended with fossil jet fuel and is then verified to meet ASTM jet fuel specifications. In addition to helping customers reduce their GHG emissions, Neste has committed to making its production operations carbon neutral by 2035.
Together we’re moving the aviation industry toward a more sustainable future. Aviation, like many industries, is looking to reduce emissions and increase sustainable practices. Ultimately to make these moves, collaboration, and partnerships like this one are essential for long-term change, and Neste is proud to be working with these major U.S. carriers, who with us are taking a stand for sustainability, said Thorsten Lange, EVP for Renewable Aviation at Neste.
