Sustainable Aviation
Delta and Shell Achieve First Commercial Scale SAF Delivery at Portland Airport
Delta, Shell, and Portland International Airport deliver over 400,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel, advancing aviation decarbonization efforts.
Delta’s Historic Partnership with Shell and Portland International Airport Marks Milestone in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deployment
In September 2024, Delta Air Lines, in collaboration with Shell Aviation and Portland International Airport (PDX), achieved a major milestone by delivering over 400,000 gallons of SAF into PDX’s fuel system. This marked the first commercial-scale SAF uplift at the Oregon airport, demonstrating the intricate partnerships and infrastructure investments required to scale sustainable aviation fuel adoption across the United States. The move highlights both the opportunities and challenges of decarbonizing aviation, a sector responsible for a significant share of global carbon emissions. As SAF currently accounts for only about 0.53% of global jet fuel consumption and costs substantially more than conventional fuels, such Partnerships are critical to advancing climate goals and establishing the supply chains needed for industry-wide transformation.
The Delta-Shell-PDX partnership underscores how Airlines, fuel suppliers, and airport authorities can work together to meet ambitious climate targets, even as the aviation industry faces daunting economic and logistical barriers. Their achievement not only sets a precedent for other airports and carriers but also provides a blueprint for integrating SAF into existing fuel systems, an essential step toward reducing aviation’s environmental footprint.
Background and Context of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
Sustainable aviation fuel is widely recognized as one of the most promising solutions for decarbonizing commercial aviation, which currently contributes an estimated 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike ground transportation, where electrification is rapidly advancing, aviation’s unique energy density and weight requirements make SAF a more viable near-term solution. SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, while remaining compatible with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF could provide up to 65% of the emissions reductions necessary for aviation to achieve net-zero carbon Emissions by 2050. However, scaling production remains a challenge: global SAF production hit 1 million tonnes in 2024, double the previous year but still far below the projected demand of 1.5 million tonnes. Industry leaders have voiced concerns about the slow pace of progress, with IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noting that “SAF volumes are increasing, but disappointingly slowly.”
SAF can be produced through nine certified pathways, with the most common method, hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), converting waste oils, fats, and other biomass into jet fuel. Other pathways, such as alcohol-to-jet and synthetic paraffinic kerosene, offer different feedstock options and carbon intensity profiles. The sustainability of SAF hinges on its closed-loop carbon cycle: the CO₂ emitted during combustion is offset by the CO₂ absorbed during feedstock growth, provided the feedstocks and processes are carefully managed.
Delta’s Strategic Approach to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Delta Air Lines has positioned itself as an industry leader in SAF adoption. In 2021, the airline pledged to use SAF for at least 10% of its fuel by 2030, a commitment that requires procuring over 400 million gallons of SAF annually by the decade’s end. Delta has already secured long-term contracts for 200 million gallons, representing about half of its 2030 goal.
The airline’s focus on SAF is driven by the fact that approximately 90% of its direct (Scope 1) emissions stem from jet fuel. As Delta’s senior vice president of sustainability, Gail Grimmett, explained, “Our Scope 1 is massive. Anything beyond Scope 1 is like a rounding error.” Delta’s SAF usage has grown rapidly, with 3.5 million gallons blended in 2023 and over 13 million gallons delivered in 2024, more than triple the previous year. These efforts have helped Delta avoid approximately 32,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions from operations at major airports.
Beyond procurement, Delta invests in SAF production infrastructure and policy advocacy. The airline supports a Minnesota production hub benefiting from a $1.50 per gallon state tax credit and participates in industry coalitions to promote favorable SAF policies. Delta’s collaborative approach reflects a broader industry recognition that achieving climate goals requires cooperation rather than competition among airlines.
“This isn’t a competition amongst us. We’ve gotta work together on this.” – Gail Grimmett, Delta Air Lines
The Portland International Airport Partnership Details
The Delta-Shell-PDX partnership stands as a significant step in expanding SAF’s reach in the United States. The Delivery of over 400,000 gallons of blended SAF to PDX in September 2024 marked the airport’s first commercial-scale SAF operation. The fuel was produced in the U.S. from waste-derived feedstock, with Shell supplying the neat SAF to Zenith Terminal in Portland, where it was blended with traditional jet fuel before being delivered to PDX.
This delivery required coordination among multiple stakeholders and leveraged existing infrastructure, demonstrating that SAF can be integrated into conventional fuel systems without major new investments. Delta’s SAF director, Charlotte Lollar, highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying, “Every SAF delivery is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can unlock markets for sustainable aviation fuel.”
The Port of Portland’s support aligns with its broader sustainability commitments. Zenith Energy’s Portland terminal, a key player in the supply chain, has committed to transitioning 100% of its crude oil storage to renewable fuels by 2027. Already, 66% of its storage is dedicated to renewables, making it a leading facility in the region.
Infrastructure, Economics, and Policy Frameworks
Supply Chain and Production Capacity
The SAF supply chain is complex, involving feedstock collection, production, blending, storage, and distribution. Zenith Energy’s Portland terminal has become a key hub, receiving its first SAF shipment from Montana Renewables in June 2023. Montana Renewables is expanding its capacity from 30 million to 300 million gallons annually by 2028, supported by a $1.44 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan. This expansion will double feedstock purchases to 3 billion pounds per year, positioning the facility as a global SAF leader.
Shell Aviation plays an intermediary role, leveraging its logistics expertise to move SAF from production sites to airports. The company aims for 10% of its aviation jet fuel sales to be SAF by 2030, necessitating significant investment in blending and distribution infrastructure.
Book-and-claim systems are emerging to address supply limitations, allowing airlines to purchase the environmental attributes of SAF even when the fuel is not physically delivered to their departure airport. This mechanism supports broader market access and demand for SAF.
“The integration of SAF into established fuel infrastructure demonstrates how sustainable fuels can leverage existing petroleum networks while gradually transforming their composition toward renewables.”
Economic and Regulatory Challenges
SAF remains significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel, costing 3–5 times as much on average. The cost premium is due to limited scale, feedstock constraints, and higher processing costs. In Europe, additional compliance fees linked to regulatory mandates have further increased prices.
Policy support is crucial for bridging the economic gap. The U.S. federal 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, created by the Inflation Reduction Act, provides up to $1.75 per gallon for SAF, with additional incentives at the state level in Minnesota and emerging programs in Illinois, Michigan, and Nebraska. Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program and California’s partnership with Airlines for America are also driving market development.
Internationally, harmonized standards and incentives are essential due to aviation’s global nature. The IATA advocates for technology- and feedstock-neutral policies, with mandates used alongside innovation support and cost-reduction programs. Compliance with schemes like CORSIA adds further financial pressure, reinforcing the need for affordable, high-integrity SAF.
Environmental Benefits and Industry Implications
SAF offers significant environmental advantages beyond CO₂ reduction. It can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and dramatically reduce particulate and sulfur emissions, improving air quality around airports. The use of waste-derived feedstocks also supports circular economy principles, turning waste oils and fats into valuable fuel.
However, scaling SAF raises questions about feedstock sustainability, land use, and lifecycle impacts. Waste feedstocks provide the greatest carbon benefits but are limited in supply, prompting research into purpose-grown energy crops and synthetic fuels. Robust lifecycle assessments and monitoring are essential to ensure claimed emissions reductions are real and additional.
The shift to domestic SAF production enhances energy security and supports rural economies, especially as recent policy changes require American-controlled production and North American feedstocks. Water management and land use must be carefully considered to avoid unintended consequences as production expands.
Conclusion
The Delta-Shell-Portland partnership for the first commercial-scale SAF uplift at PDX is a landmark in aviation’s transition to Sustainability. It demonstrates the technical, logistical, and collaborative requirements for integrating SAF into existing airport fuel systems and sets a replicable model for other airports and regions. While SAF currently accounts for a small fraction of global jet fuel use, the Portland achievement shows the potential for rapid growth through coordinated investment and policy support.
Looking ahead, scaling SAF will demand continued investment in production capacity, technological innovation to address feedstock and cost challenges, and robust policy frameworks at all levels. The experience gained from early deployments will inform industry best practices and infrastructure planning, supporting the broader goal of aviation decarbonization by 2050. As more airlines, airports, and fuel suppliers join the effort, the foundation is being laid for a sustainable future for air travel.
FAQ
What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?
SAF is a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel, produced from waste oils, fats, biomass, or synthetic sources. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% and is compatible with existing aircraft and infrastructure.
Why is SAF important for aviation?
SAF is currently the most viable near-term solution for decarbonizing aviation, as electrification is not practical for most commercial flights. It provides substantial emissions reductions and can be integrated using existing supply chains.
What challenges does SAF face?
Key challenges include high production costs, limited feedstock availability, the need for infrastructure adaptation, and the requirement for supportive policy frameworks. Scaling up production and achieving cost parity with conventional fuel remain major hurdles.
How does the Portland International Airport SAF delivery impact the industry?
The first commercial-scale SAF uplift at PDX demonstrates the feasibility of integrating SAF into conventional airport fuel systems and provides a model for industry-wide adoption through collaboration and infrastructure adaptation.
What role do policy incentives play in SAF adoption?
Policy incentives such as federal and state tax credits, low-carbon fuel standards, and regulatory mandates are essential for bridging the economic gap between SAF and conventional jet fuel, encouraging investment and market growth.
Sources: Delta News Hub
Photo Credit: Delta Air Lines
Sustainable Aviation
Singapore Airlines Signs SAF Offtake Deal with Aether Fuels
Singapore Airlines commits to buying SAF from Aether Fuels’ Project Beacon facility in Singapore, due online in 2028.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has finalized a firm purchase agreement to offtake next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Aether Fuels, becoming the first carrier to commit to the upcoming Project Beacon production facility in Singapore.
Announced in a joint press release on 28 October 2026, the agreement transitions a previous memorandum of understanding into a binding contract. The deal secures future fuel volumes to support the airline’s target of replacing 5 percent of its total fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
Transitioning from framework to firm commitment
The 28 October 2026 announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies on 4 February 2025. That initial framework outlined the airline’s intention to procure neat SAF for a five-year period, with an option to extend for an additional five years, once Aether commenced commercial production.
While the companies confirmed the transition to a firm offtake agreement, the exact fuel volumes and financial terms were not disclosed in the release.
Project Beacon and the Aurora technology
Aether Fuels, a climate technology firm incubated and funded in 2022 by Temasek-backed deep tech venture firm Xora, officially launched Project Beacon on 11 November 2025. The project is a partnership with Aster, a joint venture between Indonesian chemical and infrastructure company Chandra Asri and commodities trader Glencore.
The commercial-scale SAF facility will be located at Aster’s refining hub on Pulau Bukom in Asia-Pacific in Singapore. Aster acquired this site from Shell to develop a dedicated sustainable fuels footprint. Construction of the facility is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Once operational in 2028, Project Beacon is projected to produce 50 barrels per day, equating to approximately 2,000 tons of SAF annually. The plant will utilize Aether’s proprietary Aurora technology to produce Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). According to Aether Fuels, this pathway is expected to deliver a minimum 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
De-risking commercial scale-up
The firm offtake agreement follows a critical technical milestone for Aether Fuels. On 29 September 2026, the company announced the successful operation of a fully integrated demonstration line at RTI International in North America.
The 2.5 barrel-per-day system combined Aether’s Aurora Tri-Converter and Upgrader units with an existing Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The demonstration successfully converted renewable natural gas derived from landfill gas and captured industrial carbon dioxide into synthetic aviation fuel meeting ASTM D7566 specifications. This successful run provided the engineering data required to de-risk the design and scale-up of the Project Beacon facility ahead of its construction phase.
Singapore’s SAF ecosystem and airline targets
The aviation industry is increasingly reliant on SAF to meet decarbonization targets, but feedstock availability remains a primary bottleneck. Aether’s FT-SPK pathway addresses this by utilizing industrial waste gases and biomethane, bypassing the constrained agricultural and lipid-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, that dominate current SAF production.
The agreement aligns with broader regional regulatory shifts. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has mandated a SAF levy for flights departing Singapore starting in 2026 to fund centralized SAF procurement. Singapore Airlines, which operates a fleet with an average age of under eight years, has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
AirPro News analysis
We view this firm offtake agreement as a clear indicator of the tightening future market for non-lipid SAF. The aviation sector’s reliance on Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) SAF is running into hard limits regarding used cooking oil and tallow availability. By committing to Aether’s FT-SPK product before the Project Beacon facility has even broken ground, Singapore Airlines is moving aggressively to lock in alternative feedstock pathways.
This early commitment is necessary for airlines aiming to meet 2030 mandates. The lead times for financing, constructing, and scaling novel waste-to-fuel facilities span several years, meaning airlines cannot wait for commercial production to begin before securing their supply lines.
Photo Credit: Aether Fuels
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
Sustainable Aviation
EU Exceeds 2025 SAF Mandate at 2.79 Percent Blend Rate
EASA reports EU airports hit 2.79% SAF blend in 2025, surpassing the 2% ReFuelEU mandate with 1.1M tonnes supplied.
The European Union surpassed its initial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate in 2025, with SAF accounting for 2.79 percent of all jet fuel supplied to EU airports during the first mandatory reporting year.
According to the 2026 ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 17, 2026, fuel suppliers delivered 1.1 million tonnes of SAF against a total aviation fuel supply of 39.3 million tonnes. The 2.79 percent blend rate comfortably exceeded the 2 percent minimum required by the ReFuelEU regulation for 2025. This uptake resulted in an estimated reduction of 3.77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are pleased to confirm that the SAF mandate under ReFuelEU Aviation was not only met but exceeded,” EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet stated in the agency’s press release.
Compliance and distribution across European hubs
The EASA report indicates high compliance rates across the sector. Ninety-three percent of aircraft operators and 90 percent of fuel suppliers fulfilled their reporting obligations in 2025. EASA noted that noncompliance among aircraft operators was primarily limited to small business jet operators, nonscheduled carriers, and third-country operators that failed to respond to competent authorities.
SAF distribution reached 121 Airports across all 27 Member States, representing 79 percent of all Union airports. Uptake was heavily concentrated at major European hubs. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) accounted for 29 percent of the tracked SAF supply, followed by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) at 8 percent and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 7 percent.
Supply chain dynamics and feedstock dependencies
While the headline blending figures demonstrate regulatory success, the technical report reveals a structural reliance on imported raw materials. Although 86 percent of the SAF supplied at EU airports was refined domestically within the European Union, 85 percent of the underlying feedstocks originated from outside the bloc.
The primary feedstock utilized was Used Cooking Oil (UCO) processed via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Of the imported feedstocks, 61 percent originated from China, with additional volumes sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia. On the refining side, Neste’s Rotterdam facility alone produced 33 percent of all European SAF in 2025.
AirPro News analysis
The successful implementation of the 2 percent mandate in 2025 proves that the logistical framework for SAF distribution at major European hubs is functional. However, the heavy reliance on Asian Used Cooking Oil presents a long-term vulnerability for European aviation. As the ReFuelEU mandate scales to 6 percent in 2030, the Regulations will also introduce sub-mandates for synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels). With approximately 50 synthetic fuel projects awaiting final investment decisions and no large-scale e-fuel facilities currently operational in Europe, we anticipate significant capital mobilization will be required over the next 36 months to prevent future supply bottlenecks and reduce dependency on imported biomass.
Photo Credit: European Union Aviation Safety Agency
-
Business Aviation4 days agoDTA Aircraft JP1 eVTOL Targets April 2027 US Flight Testing
-
Regulations & Safety3 days agoFAA Launches MedGuide Medication Database for Aviators
-
Business Aviation5 days agoCivil Air Patrol Orders 21 Cessna Aircraft From Textron Aviation
-
Space & Satellites4 days agoBAE Systems Acquires Colorado Facility for Space Hardware
-
Business Aviation4 days agoUniversal Aviation Rebrands as Affinity Aviation at NBAA 2026