Neste and United Airlines Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use at US Airports

Neste and United Airlines Deepen Partnership to Expand SAF Usage Across Major US Hubs

The aviation industry is navigating a critical juncture in its quest for sustainability, with a collective goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Central to this ambition is the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a renewable alternative that holds the potential to significantly decarbonize air travel. Unlike conventional jet fuel derived from fossil sources, SAF is produced from renewable raw materials like used cooking oil and agricultural residues. This shift is not merely an environmental aspiration but an operational imperative, as airlines and fuel producers collaborate to build a viable market for lower-emission fuels. The journey is complex, marked by challenges in production scale, cost, and infrastructure, yet it is being propelled forward by strategic partnerships and supportive government policies.

In a significant move that underscores this industry-wide momentum, Neste, the world’s leading producer of SAF, and United Airlines have announced a major expansion of their partnership. This collaboration is set to introduce SAF to three new major U.S. airports, marking a tangible step in making sustainable air travel more widespread. The agreement highlights a shared commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of aviation and demonstrates the growing demand for renewable fuel solutions. By scaling up the availability of SAF at key hubs, both companies are not only advancing their corporate sustainability goals but also signaling to the broader market that the infrastructure for a greener future in aviation is actively being built. This partnership serves as a crucial case study in how collaboration can accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy sources within a hard-to-abate sector.

Expanding the Footprint: SAF Lands at Three New Hubs

The core of the announcement is the introduction of Neste’s MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ at three key United Airlines hubs: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Dulles International Airport (IAD). This makes United the first commercial airline to use SAF at these airports, representing a notable “first-mover” achievement in the industry. The fuel, produced from 100% renewable raw materials, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel when used in its pure form. For practical application, the neat SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel to meet stringent aviation specifications before being used in commercial flights.

The logistics of this expansion are as important as the fuel itself. Neste is delivering the SAF to the airports through existing pipeline infrastructure from its terminal facilities in Houston. This detail is critical, as it demonstrates that SAF can be integrated into the current fuel distribution systems without requiring massive, cost-prohibitive investments in new infrastructure. The delivery timeline has been staggered, with supplies to Houston’s IAH beginning in July 2025 and continuing through October 2025. Deliveries to Newark and Dulles commenced in September 2025 and are scheduled to run until the end of the year. This phased rollout allows for a managed integration of the new fuel supply into the airports’ operational workflows.

This latest agreement builds upon a pre-existing relationship between the two companies. Neste had already been supplying SAF to United at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) since August 2024. The decision to expand to three more hubs reflects a successful initial phase and a mutual confidence in the scalability of the SAF market. Both companies have been vocal about the importance of a supportive policy environment, citing state-level incentives like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and Illinois’ SAF Purchase Credit as key enablers for their earlier collaborations.

“Introducing sustainable aviation fuel for the first time at our hubs in Houston, Newark, and Dulles is another significant milestone in United’s sustainability journey,” stated Lauren Riley, United’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The Broader Context: Policy, Production, and a Push for Scale

The Neste-United partnership does not exist in a vacuum. It is emblematic of a broader trend fueled by a combination of corporate strategy and significant government support. The U.S. government has identified SAF as a critical component of its decarbonization strategy, rolling out powerful incentives to stimulate domestic production. Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which offers a tax credit of up to $1.75 per gallon, and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are designed to make SAF more cost-competitive with conventional jet fuel, which remains a primary barrier to widespread adoption. The White House’s “SAF Grand Challenge” further solidifies this commitment, setting an ambitious goal to scale U.S. production to 3 billion gallons by 2030.

These incentives are having a clear impact on the market. Projections show the U.S. SAF market is on a trajectory of rapid growth, with some forecasts predicting its value could rise from approximately $259 million in 2023 to over $2.2 billion by 2031. Production capacity is also expanding, with projections indicating a significant leap in output by the end of 2024. Neste itself is a major player in this expansion, with a current global SAF production capability of 1.5 million tons annually and plans to increase that to 2.2 million tons by 2027.

Despite the positive momentum, industry leaders are quick to point out that the work is far from over. In their joint announcement, both Neste and United emphasized the continued need for robust policy support. Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President at Neste, noted the importance of more states enacting “proven incentive policy frameworks to accelerate the production of SAF.” This sentiment was echoed by United’s Lauren Riley, who stressed that the growth of the SAF market requires ongoing support from both state and federal governments to create sensible market incentives. Their statements highlight a crucial reality: while the technology and raw materials for SAF exist, its journey to becoming a mainstream aviation fuel is deeply intertwined with the policy landscape that governs it.

Conclusion: A Partnership Fueling the Future

The expanded agreement between Neste and United Airlines is more than just a supply deal; it is a clear indicator of the aviation industry’s evolving approach to sustainability. By bringing SAF to major hubs on the East Coast and in the South, the partnership makes a tangible impact on the availability of lower-emission fuel options and sets a precedent for other airlines to follow. The use of existing infrastructure is a particularly vital proof point, demonstrating that the transition to SAF can be more seamless and economically viable than often assumed. It reinforces the idea that progress can be made through practical, incremental steps that leverage current assets.

Looking ahead, the success of this and similar initiatives will depend heavily on the synergy between corporate action and government policy. The calls from both Neste and United for continued and expanded policy support underscore the fact that the SAF market is still in a nascent, growth-dependent phase. As production scales up and technology advances, the cost differential between SAF and conventional jet fuel is expected to narrow, but government incentives remain the critical bridge to get there. This partnership serves as a powerful model for how the private and public sectors can collaborate to tackle one of the most significant environmental challenges of our time, moving the entire aviation industry closer to its goal of a net-zero future.

FAQ

Question: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Answer: SAF is a renewable fuel used in commercial aviation that is produced from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, animal fat waste, and agricultural residues. It can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel.

Question: Which new airports will receive SAF under the expanded Neste and United Airlines partnership?
Answer: The new agreement includes George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Question: How much can Neste’s SAF reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Answer: In its neat (100% concentrated) form, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over its life cycle compared to fossil jet fuel.

Question: Is new infrastructure needed to handle SAF at airports?
Answer: No, a key advantage highlighted by this partnership is that the SAF is delivered to the airports using existing pipeline infrastructure, where it is then blended with conventional jet fuel.

Sources

• Neste Press Release