United Becomes First Airline to Utilize Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Operations at Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport
Aug. 2, 2024
United has selected Neste to provide the airline with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its operations at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), making United the first airline at ORD to utilize SAF.
Neste will begin delivering the SAF in August 2024, with a goal of supplying up to 1 million gallons through the end of the year.
This partnership aligns with United's goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and Illinois' SAF tax credits helped bring SAF to one of the US' largest airports.
"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," said United President Brett Hart.
SAF is made from renewable materials rather than drilled fossil oils, making it a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis.
United is currently one of the largest purchasers of SAF in the US, according to 2023 reports, and this agreement with Neste makes O'Hare the fifth airport where United has purchased and utilized SAF, including airports in Los Angeles, San Fransisco, 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," US 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."
