Chicago-based carrier United says it has become the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at its principal hub, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). 

In a press statement, the second-largest American carrier says that Illinois Governor Jay Robert Pritzker joined the airline’s leadership at ORD airport to highlight the role that Illinois’ SAF tax credits played in bringing sustainable aviation fuel to one of the largest airports in the US.

The airline says that SAF producer Neste will provide up to 1 million gallons of SAF to United at ORD in 2024 with the first supply arriving on August 3. 

United says it was the first airline to create a goal of reaching NetZero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets and remains a leader in the US in the purchase and use of SAF. 

It adds that the airline purchased more sustainable fuel than any US airline in 2023. The agreement with Neste makes O’Hare the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use, the most locations of any US airline.

Jay Robert Pritzker

“Since day one as Governor, I have 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,” says 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,” he adds.

United says that SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 85 pc on a lifecycle basis, from production to end use as it is made from renewable materials rather than drilled fossil oil. 

It adds that SAF is among aviation’s best, most scalable options to push the industry towards NetZero emissions in part because it can be used right now with existing infrastructure, no changes to fuel systems or aircraft engines required.

Brett Hart

“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together. 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,” says Brett Hart, President, United.

The airline says it has now purchased SAF for airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam.

Tammy Duckworth

“I am pleased to see United Airlines making this significant move forward by using sustainable aviation fuel daily in flights from O’Hare. One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is increase the supply of SAF,” says US Senator Tammy Duckworth.

“At the federal level, I have 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,” Tammy  adds.

The airline says that it is a chief advocate for legislation to grow the SAF market, and helped push for the successful adoption of a federal SAF Blender’s Tax Credit, DOT grants to promote SAF usage, and incentives for hydrogen production and carbon capture. 

The press statement adds that at the state level, the airline has helped secure the passage of SAF tax credits in Illinois, Colorado, California and Washington that encourage the purchase of SAF for local airports.

The statement says that to further develop and deploy SAF in the US and advocate for policies that will help US fuel producers lead this growing industry, United helped found the SAF Coalition. 

It is a consortium that includes more than 40 airlines and aircraft operators, agricultural enterprises, aircraft and aircraft equipment manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labour unions and biofuel producers.

United says its roadmap to achieve its emission goals includes driving operational efficiencies, adding hundreds of new, fuel-efficient planes, using SAF, and investing in other low carbon onboard products and alternate propulsion technologies.

Importantly though, the airline recognises that no one carrier or industry can solve climate change alone and that’s why United say it has also rallied the business community to scale more sustainable aviation fuel.

The airline says that SAF purchased for United’s flights is paid for in part through the company’s Eco-Skies Alliance, where participating companies work together to share the “green premium,” or the cost associated with purchasing lower emission fuels.