United Airlines Leads The Way With First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Purchase For O’Hare Airport

Published on July 31, 2024

United Airlines becomes the first to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for O’Hare, marking a significant step towards greener aviation.

United Airlines has made history by becoming the first airline to acquire sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) specifically for use at O’Hare International Airport (ORD). In a significant event, Governor JB Pritzker joined the airline’s leadership team at ORD to emphasize the impact of Illinois’ SAF tax credits in facilitating the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel at one of the nation’s largest airports.

In 2024, SAF producer Neste is set to deliver up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport (ORD), with the first shipment expected in August. United has been a pioneer in setting ambitious environmental goals, being the first airline to commit to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. Leading the U.S. airline industry in sustainable fuel initiatives, United purchased more SAF than any other U.S. airline in 2023. The agreement with Neste marks ORD as the fifth airport where United has secured SAF for its operations, the most locations among U.S. carriers.

“Since day one as Governor, I’ve committed to making Illinois a national leader in sustainability and clean energy, which is why I was proud to support a nation-leading SAF tax credit last year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois’s position as a hub of innovation with some of the most connected airports in the country perfectly aligns with the work of companies like United to build a more sustainable future for travel and reach our shared goal of zero emissions.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an alternative to traditional jet fuel that has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% over its entire lifecycle, from production to end use. This significant reduction is possible because SAF is produced from renewable materials rather than extracted fossil fuels. SAF is considered one of the most effective and scalable solutions to help the aviation industry achieve net-zero emissions, as it can be used immediately with the current infrastructure, requiring no modifications to fuel systems or aircraft engines.

“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together,” said United President Brett Hart, who was at ORD today with the Governor. “While the market for SAF is still in its infancy, there is a huge opportunity today for airlines and policymakers to work together to support its continued growth – SAF at O’Hare was made possible thanks to Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Legislature passing tax incentives.”

United Airlines has now secured Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its operations at airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam.

“I’m pleased to see United Airlines making this significant move forward by using sustainable aviation fuel daily in flights from O’Hare,” U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is increase the supply of SAF. At the federal level, I’ve been pushing for the increased use of SAF, and I’m going to keep pushing to increase the supply of American-grown, American-made SAF, a true win-win solution that supports domestic farmers and blenders while reducing our nation’s carbon footprint.”

United SAF Policy Leadership

United Airlines has positioned itself as a leading advocate for policies that expand the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market. The airline played a crucial role in the successful adoption of the federal SAF Blender’s Tax Credit, Department of Transportation grants to promote SAF usage, and incentives for hydrogen production and carbon capture. On the state level, United has been instrumental in securing SAF tax credits in Illinois, Colorado, California, and Washington, which encourage the purchase and use of SAF at local airports.

To further bolster the development and deployment of SAF in the U.S. and to advocate for policies that empower U.S. fuel producers, United co-founded the SAF Coalition. This consortium includes over 40 airlines and aircraft operators, as well as agricultural enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labor unions, and biofuel producers, all working together to advance the SAF industry.

United Leadership & Coalition Building

United’s strategy to achieve its emission reduction goals involves enhancing operational efficiencies, adding hundreds of new, fuel-efficient aircraft, utilizing SAF, and investing in other low-carbon onboard products and alternative propulsion technologies. However, United acknowledges that the challenge of climate change cannot be tackled by a single airline or industry alone. To address this, the airline has united the business community to scale the adoption of more sustainable aviation fuel.

The SAF used in United’s flights is partially funded through the Eco-Skies AllianceSM, a collaborative program where participating companies share the cost of purchasing lower-emission fuels. Since its inception in 2021, this alliance has collectively contributed towards the purchase of over 10.5 million gallons of SAF. Notable participants include Autodesk, Bank of America, BCG, DB Schenker, Envirotainer, First Eagle Investments, Marken, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Salesforce, Meta, ZS, SEKO, Sidley Austin LLP, and Yusen Logistics.

In 2023, United launched the UAV Sustainable Flight FundSM, a pioneering investment initiative designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel. The fund has amassed over $200 million in investment commitments from United and 21 corporate partners, signaling a strong cross-industry commitment to sustainable aviation.