Sustainable Aviation
Neste and United Airlines Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use at US Airports
Neste and United Airlines extend their SAF partnership to three major US hubs, enhancing sustainable aviation with existing infrastructure integration.
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.
The core of the announcement is the introduction of Neste’s MY Sustainable Aviation Fuelâ„¢ 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 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. 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.
Question: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)? Question: Which new airports will receive SAF under the expanded Neste and United Airlines partnership? Question: How much can Neste’s SAF reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Question: Is new infrastructure needed to handle SAF at airports?
Neste and United Airlines Deepen Partnership to Expand SAF Usage Across Major US Hubs
Expanding the Footprint: SAF Lands at Three New Hubs
The Broader Context: Policy, Production, and a Push for Scale
Conclusion: A Partnership Fueling the Future
FAQ
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.
Answer: The new agreement includes George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Answer: In its neat (100% concentrated) form, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuelâ„¢ can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over its life cycle compared to fossil jet fuel.
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
Photo Credit: Neste
Sustainable Aviation
Airbus-led ECLIF-X Campaign Studies Aviation Non-CO2 Emissions 2025-2027
The ECLIF-X campaign investigates how low-sulphur and low-aromatic fuels reduce contrail formation and non-CO2 emissions in aviation from 2025 to 2027.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.
In a closely coordinated chase across the sky, the aviation industry is taking aim at one of its most visible and complex climate challenges: condensation trails. While carbon dioxide emissions have long dominated sustainability discussions, recent scientific consensus highlights that non-CO2 emissions account for a significant portion of commercial aviation’s total climate warming impact.
To address this, Airbus, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have launched ECLIF-X (Emissions and Climate Impact of alternative Fuels – X). According to an official Airbus press release, this joint research campaign utilizes a “flying laboratory” to investigate the effects of fuel composition on aviation’s non-CO2 impact.
Running from 2025 to 2027, the ECLIF-X campaign captures real-time data on how low-sulphur and low-aromatic fuels interact with advanced engine combustors. At AirPro News, we recognize this initiative as a critical step toward understanding and mitigating the formation of climate-warming contrails before new environmental regulations take full effect.
The methodology behind the ECLIF-X campaign involves two aircraft flying in tandem at cruising altitude. The “emitter” is an Airbus A321XLR test aircraft (registration MSN11058), powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. Research reports indicate these engines are equipped with the TALON-X rich-burn combustor, a technology specifically designed to reduce soot emissions. During the tests, the A321XLR is flown with three different types of fuel to compare their respective emission profiles.
Following closely behind is the “sniffer,” DLR’s heavily instrumented Falcon 20E research aircraft. Drawing on over 30 years of atmospheric research expertise, DLR scientists pilot the Falcon 20E directly into the exhaust wake of the A321XLR.
Flying at distances of just 50 to 300 meters, the Falcon 20E captures precise, real-time data on the physical and chemical properties of the emissions before they dissipate.
This proximity allows researchers to analyze the exhaust plume in real-time, providing unprecedented insights into the immediate atmospheric reactions triggered by different fuel blends.
Contrails are line-shaped ice clouds that form when hot, humid engine exhaust mixes with cold, high-altitude air. Depending on atmospheric conditions, these contrails can persist and spread into cirrus clouds that trap outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth. According to industry research, studies suggest that non-CO2 effects could represent anywhere from 35% to roughly two-thirds of aviation’s total accumulated climate impact. Airbus refers to the microphysics of contrail formation as the “sticky seed” problem. Conventional jet fuel contains aromatic compounds, which are the primary precursors for soot particles during combustion. These soot particles act as the foundational condensation nuclei, or “seeds,” for contrails. Furthermore, even trace amounts of sulphur in jet fuel result in the formation of sulphuric acid. This acid coats the soot particles, making them “sticky” and highly attractive to water vapor.
By utilizing fuels with low aromatics and low sulphur, such as highly refined Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), engines produce significantly fewer soot particles and less sulphuric acid. Fewer seeds mean fewer ice crystals, resulting in contrails that are thinner, shorter-lived, or completely prevented.
The current campaign builds upon the landmark ECLIF3 study, which concluded in 2024. Data from ECLIF3 proved that flying on 100% SAF reduced the number of contrail ice crystals by 56% and cut the overall climate-warming impact of contrails by at least 26% compared to conventional jet fuel.
The ECLIF-X research arrives at a critical regulatory juncture. As of January 2025, the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) requires airlines to monitor and report their non-CO2 effects. With the first verified reports due in 2026, the industry faces immediate pressure to understand and quantify these emissions.
The introduction of the EU’s Non-CO2 Aviation Effects Tracking System (NEATS) means airlines are now legally required to track these metrics. Research initiatives like ECLIF-X provide the foundational science necessary to create accurate monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) models for the commercial aviation sector.
We view the ECLIF-X campaign as a pivotal transition point for airline operations. Historically, the push for Sustainable Aviation Fuel has been framed almost entirely around lifecycle carbon reduction. However, the empirical data gathered by Airbus and DLR highlights a crucial dual benefit: SAF physically alters the clouds aircraft leave behind.
Beyond fuel certification, this research paves the way for “climate-friendly routing.” As airlines and meteorologists better understand exactly how and when contrails form, flight dispatchers could soon pair clean fuels with tactical flight path adjustments to avoid atmospheric regions prone to persistent contrail formation. This operational shift will likely become a standard practice as regulatory bodies tighten non-CO2 reporting requirements.
Sources: Airbus
The ECLIF-X Campaign: A High-Altitude Chase
The Emitter and the Sniffer
Decoding the “Sticky Seed” Problem
How Contrails Form and Trap Heat
Building on Previous Success
Regulatory Urgency and Future Operations
EU ETS and NEATS Compliance
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ECLIF-X (Emissions and Climate Impact of alternative Fuels – X) is a joint research initiative by Airbus, DLR, and Pratt & Whitney running from 2025 to 2027 to study how fuel composition affects contrail formation.
Persistent contrails can spread into cirrus clouds that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Studies indicate these non-CO2 emissions account for 35% to two-thirds of aviation’s total climate impact.
Soot and sulphuric acid from conventional jet fuel create “sticky” particles that attract water vapor, forming the ice crystals that make up contrails. Low-sulphur and low-aromatic fuels reduce these seeds.
Under the EU ETS, airlines were required to begin monitoring non-CO2 effects in January 2025, with the first verified reports due in 2026.
Photo Credit: Airbus
Sustainable Aviation
SHEIN Expands Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use with DHL Partnership
SHEIN partners with DHL Express to pilot Sustainable Aviation Fuel in air freight, supporting emissions reduction amid market and regulatory challenges.
This article is based on an official press release from SHEIN.
On March 24, 2026, global fashion retailer SHEIN announced a new agreement with DHL Express to utilize the logistics provider’s GoGreen Plus service. This initiative integrates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into SHEIN’s international air freight operations, marking another step in the company’s efforts to address lifecycle emissions associated with its supply chain.
According to the official press release, the partnership is designed as an early-stage pilot to help the retailer evaluate economic feasibility, certification frameworks, and operational integration. SHEIN explicitly acknowledges that the immediate emissions impact will be modest relative to its total air transport footprint, reflecting broader constraints in the global SAF market where alternative fuels represent only a fraction of conventional jet fuel supply.
We note that this move builds upon SHEIN’s previous SAF pilot programs initiated in 2025, signaling a continued corporate push to support capacity-building activities and demand signaling, particularly within the rapidly evolving Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Under the new agreement, SHEIN will leverage DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, which utilizes an “insetting” approach to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than fueling specific cargo planes directly with SAF, the fuel is introduced into DHL’s broader aviation network. The resulting lifecycle emissions reductions are then allocated to SHEIN using internationally recognized carbon accounting and certification frameworks.
“Signing the GoGreen Plus agreement with SHEIN marks another important milestone in DHL Express’s commitment to driving the green transformation of air logistics. As a long-term partner in SHEIN’s global logistics network, we are pleased to work together to explore how sustainable aviation fuel can be integrated into their air cargo operations.”
The DHL partnership is part of a broader, multi-carrier strategy. Industry research highlights that in 2025, SHEIN procured 187.3 tonnes of SAF across 14 Atlas Air charter flights, achieving an estimated emissions reduction of 579.1 tonnes of COâ‚‚ equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e). Furthermore, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lufthansa Cargo in August 2025 to accelerate SAF adoption.
Regionally, SHEIN is also participating in a China-based SAF pilot program organized by China National Aviation Fuel (CNAF) and the Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation of China (CASRI). Through this initiative, the retailer plans to procure an initial batch of SAF from Air China Cargo, utilizing traceability mechanisms to track usage.
“Working with partners such as DHL allows us to better understand how sustainable aviation fuel solutions may be incorporated into air cargo logistics. Initiatives like this are part of SHEIN’s broader efforts to explore how emerging approaches across the aviation sector may contribute to addressing carbon emissions associated with air transport.”
SHEIN’s press release notes that wider adoption of SAF remains constrained by limited production capacity and higher costs. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released in December 2025 provides stark context for these limitations. According to IATA, global SAF production reached 1.9 million metric tons in 2025. While this doubled the output of 2024, it still represented only 0.6% of total global jet fuel consumption. Growth is projected to slow slightly in 2026, reaching an estimated 2.4 million metric tons, or roughly 0.8% of global demand. Furthermore, SAF currently trades at two to five times the price of conventional fossil jet fuel. IATA estimates that this premium added approximately $3.6 billion to the aviation industry’s fuel costs in 2025 alone.
The macroeconomic challenges are compounded by regulatory friction. IATA has publicly criticized certain regional mandates, arguing that they have distorted markets and increased compliance costs without guaranteeing adequate fuel supply.
“SAF production growth fell short of expectations as poorly designed mandates stalled momentum in the fledgling SAF industry… If the objective is to increase SAF production to further the decarbonization of aviation, then they [policymakers] need to learn from failure and work with the airline industry to design incentives that will work.”
The press release emphasizes strengthening the demand signal for SAF in the Asia-Pacific region through capacity-building activities. Industry data shows that APAC is currently undergoing a massive shift in SAF infrastructure and regulation, transitioning from voluntary goals to concrete mandates.
Singapore implemented a confirmed goal of 1% SAF by 2026, funded by a passenger levy, while Japan is finalizing a 10% SAF mandate by 2030. South Korea, India, and Indonesia are also rolling out blending roadmaps expected to take effect around 2027.
To support this regulatory push, physical infrastructure is scaling up. Neste operates a significantly expanded SAF refinery in Singapore, and Hong Kong-based EcoCeres is expanding into Malaysia. Additionally, in May 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and GenZero launched “Green Fuel Forward,” an initiative specifically designed to scale SAF demand and build regional capacity for aviation decarbonization in APAC, involving major airlines and logistics firms like DHL.
SHEIN’s latest announcement reflects a maturing corporate approach to aviation decarbonization. By explicitly stating that the emissions impact of these early-stage pilots will be “modest,” the company avoids the pitfalls of greenwashing and aligns its messaging with the stark realities of the global SAF market. The reliance on DHL’s GoGreen Plus “book-and-claim” model highlights that, for global shippers, insetting remains the most viable mechanism to participate in the SAF economy without requiring direct physical access to alternative fuels at every origin airport. As APAC mandates like Singapore’s 2026 target take effect, corporate demand signals from high-volume freight users like SHEIN will be critical in justifying the massive capital expenditures required for regional SAF refineries.
GoGreen Plus is a service offered by DHL Express that allows customers to reduce the Scope 3 carbon emissions associated with their freight. It uses an “insetting” or “book-and-claim” model, where DHL purchases Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and introduces it into its broader aviation network, allocating the certified emissions reductions to the participating customer.
According to December 2025 data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF accounts for only 0.6% of global jet fuel consumption, constrained by limited production capacity and high costs. SAF is currently two to five times more expensive than conventional fossil jet fuel due to the high costs of feedstock collection, complex refining processes, and a lack of scaled production infrastructure globally.
Sources: SHEIN Press Release
Expanding SAF Pilots and Logistics Partnerships
The DHL GoGreen Plus Agreement
Building on 2025 Initiatives
Global Bottlenecks and the Cost of Decarbonization
Production and Pricing Realities
Policy Friction
The Asia-Pacific Momentum
Regulatory Shifts and Capacity Building
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DHL’s GoGreen Plus service?
How much of global aviation fuel is currently SAF?
Why is SAF more expensive than conventional jet fuel?
Photo Credit: SHEIN
Sustainable Aviation
Aviation Capital Group Publishes 2025 Sustainability Report Highlighting Fleet Modernization
Aviation Capital Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report details fleet modernization, emissions reductions, and new sustainability-linked financial commitments.
This article is based on an official press release from Aviation Capital Group.
Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a prominent global full-service aircraft asset manager, has officially p-shed its 2025 Sustainability Report. The document marks the company’s fifth annual review detailing its progress across key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities.
According to the company’s press release, the 2025 report highlights significant strides in fleet modernization and emissions reductions. As the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, aircraft lessors are increasingly prioritizing newer, more fuel-efficient technology to meet long-term climate targets.
The newly released data underscores ACG’s ongoing transition toward a lower-emission portfolio, supported by strategic financial mechanisms and a growing backlog of next-generation aircraft commitments.
In its official press release, ACG reported that new generation, lower-emissions aircraft now account for 79% of its total fleet. This shift is the result of a deliberate fleet renewal strategy executed throughout the year. During 2025, the lessor added 52 new generation aircraft to its portfolio while simultaneously exiting 36 older generation airframes.
These modernization efforts have yielded measurable environmental benefits. ACG stated that it successfully reduced its relative emissions to 13% below its 2018 baseline. Furthermore, the company noted that its portfolio’s relative emissions are now 14% below the broader aviation industry average.
Looking ahead, the lessor continues to build its pipeline of modern aircraft. As of February 2026, ACG has increased its future aircraft commitments to more than 180 aircraft, ensuring a steady influx of fuel-efficient technology in the coming years.
Beyond fleet metrics, the 2025 Sustainability Report outlines ACG’s integration of ESG principles into its financial and corporate operations. The company announced the extension and upsizing of its Sustainability Linked Loan, which now totals $575 million. Additionally, ACG signed its first Sustainability Linked Leases, aligning its leasing structures with environmental performance metrics. On the social responsibility front, the press release highlighted that ACG contributed to more than 20 worthy causes worldwide during the 2025 calendar year.
Company leadership emphasized the importance of these initiatives in the context of broader industry goals.
“I am pleased to share ACG’s 2025 Sustainability Report, which reflects the progress we have made embedding sustainability, social responsibility and governance excellence into all aspects of our business. While the path to achieving net zero by 2050 is becoming increasingly demanding, we remain committed to shaping a sustainable future by deepening our impact as a business and broadening our influence across the wider aviation ecosystem through action, leadership, and collaboration.”
, Thomas Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG, in a company statement.
We observe that aircraft leasing companies like Aviation Capital Group play a pivotal role in the aviation industry’s transition to net-zero emissions. Because lessors finance a substantial portion of the global commercial fleet, their procurement decisions directly influence the speed at which older, less efficient aircraft are retired.
By tying financial instruments, such as the $575 million Sustainability Linked Loan and newly introduced Sustainability Linked Leases, to environmental targets, lessors create tangible economic incentives for airlines to operate cleaner aircraft. ACG’s reported metric of maintaining portfolio emissions 14% below the industry average demonstrates how aggressive fleet renewal strategies can outpace the broader market’s decarbonization curve.
Founded in 1989, Aviation Capital Group is a premier full-service aircraft asset manager and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. According to the company, it has approximately 450 owned, managed, and committed aircraft as of December 31, 2025.
As of the end of 2025, ACG leases its aircraft to roughly 85 airlines operating in approximately 50 countries worldwide.
The company reported that its future aircraft commitments have grown to more than 180 aircraft as of February 2026, focusing heavily on new generation, lower-emissions technology.
Fleet Modernization and Emissions Reductions
Financial Commitments and Corporate Governance
AirPro News analysis
The Leasing Sector’s Role in Aviation Sustainability
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Aviation Capital Group (ACG)?
How many airlines does ACG serve?
What are ACG’s future fleet plans?
Sources
Photo Credit: Aviation Capital Group
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