Delta Air Lines is undertaking a major expansion to make sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) more readily available at airports across the country.
The new initiative is part of a five-year partnership with Shell Aviation, which will see the two companies expand SAF availability in five key hubs and gateways throughout the United States.
The goal of the collaboration is to design infrastructure for consistent SAF delivery in order to make sustainable fuel usage a permanent, routine part of airline operations.
Recent supply issues with traditional aviation fuel amid the ongoing war with Iran have highlighted the importance of alternative fuel sources from a business perspective, according to the two companies.
“Current instability and uncertainty have made one thing very clear to consumers and businesses alike—supply diversity matters,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta's chief sustainability officer. “With Shell, we’re proving that scaling SAF isn’t theoretical, it’s achievable.”
Under the initiative, Delta and Shell Aviation will build required infrastructure and bring new SAF supplies to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Portland International Airport (PDX), New York’s John. F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
Across those five major airports, Shell will support distribution logistics to allow for dependable SAF supply to reach Delta’s aircraft, including blended and neat SAF delivery. The deal is designed to “ensure SAF can scale with demand while maintaining operational reliability,” according to the companies.
As part of their agreement, Delta and Shell will also test and evaluate new sustainable fuel technologies, such as alcohol to jet and power to liquid pathways.
“This is about activating real supply chains at scale and creating a model that others can build on as we work across the industry to expand lower impact travel,” DeLuca said.
The collaboration is part of Delta’s long-term goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
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