United Is First Airline to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for O'Hare International Airport

Rhea-AI Summary

United Airlines has become the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The airline will receive up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ through the end of 2024, with the first supply arriving in August. This initiative was supported by Illinois' SAF tax credits, highlighting the state's commitment to sustainability and clean energy.

United led U.S. airlines in annual SAF volumes used in 2023, and O'Hare is now the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use. The airline aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. United has been actively advocating for legislation to grow the SAF market and has helped secure SAF tax credits in several states.

Positive

• United Airlines becomes the first to purchase SAF for O'Hare International Airport
• United to receive up to 1 million gallons of SAF through end of 2024
• United led U.S. airlines in annual SAF volumes used in 2023
• O'Hare is the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use
• United aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets
• United has successfully advocated for SAF tax credits in multiple states

Negative

• None.

Insights

Sustainability Expert

United Airlines' move to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for O'Hare International Airport marks a significant step in the aviation industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative, supported by Illinois' SAF tax credits, demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable innovation.

The agreement with Neste to provide up to 1 million gallons of SAF in 2024 is noteworthy, but it's essential to put this in context. While a million gallons sounds substantial, it's a small fraction of United's total fuel consumption. In 2019, before the pandemic, United used approximately 4.3 billion gallons of fuel. The SAF purchase for O'Hare represents roughly 0.023% of that total.

However, the significance lies not in the quantity but in the precedent it sets. By becoming the first airline to purchase SAF for O'Hare, United is paving the way for broader adoption. The fact that O'Hare is the fifth airport where United has introduced SAF demonstrates a consistent commitment to expanding sustainable practices across its network.

The claim that SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis is promising, but it's important to note that this is a best-case scenario. The actual reduction can vary depending on the feedstock and production method used. Investors should be cautious about overly optimistic projections and look for more detailed data on the specific SAF being used.

United's leadership in SAF policy advocacy, including the formation of the SAF Coalition, is a strategic move that could position the company favorably as regulations around aviation emissions tighten. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on broader industry adoption and continued government support.

Financial Analyst

United Airlines' investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at O'Hare International Airport is a strategic move that could have long-term financial implications. While the immediate financial impact may be , the potential for future cost savings and regulatory compliance is significant.

The aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, with potential carbon taxes and stricter emissions regulations on the horizon. By taking a proactive approach to SAF adoption, United is positioning itself to mitigate future regulatory risks and potential associated costs.

However, investors should note that SAF is currently more expensive than conventional jet fuel. The "green premium" mentioned in the Eco-Skies Alliance program suggests that United is not bearing the full cost of this transition alone, which is a prudent financial strategy. The ability to share costs with corporate partners through initiatives like the Eco-Skies Alliance and the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund could help offset the higher expenses associated with SAF in the short term.

The 200 million investment commitment in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund is substantial and demonstrates United's commitment to long-term sustainability. This could potentially lead to technological breakthroughs that give United a competitive advantage in the future.

Investors should also consider the potential for brand value enhancement and customer loyalty. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, airlines demonstrating strong sustainability commitments may gain a competitive edge in attracting both individual and corporate customers.

While the financial benefits of these sustainability initiatives may not be immediately reflected in quarterly earnings, they position United favorably for long-term growth and resilience in an increasingly carbon-constrained market.

Policy Analyst

The collaboration between United Airlines and the Illinois government on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at O'Hare International Airport exemplifies the growing trend of policy-driven sustainability initiatives in the aviation sector. This development has several important policy implications:

1. State-level incentives: Illinois' SAF tax credits demonstrate how state-level policies can drive industry change. This could inspire other states to implement similar incentives, potentially creating a patchwork of SAF policies across the U.S. Investors should monitor how this evolves, as it could affect airlines' operational decisions and fuel procurement strategies.

2. Federal policy alignment: The mention of the federal SAF Blender's Tax Credit highlights the multi-tiered approach to SAF promotion. The alignment of state and federal policies could accelerate SAF adoption, but it also introduces complexity in terms of compliance and benefit optimization for airlines.

3. Public-private partnerships: United's advocacy for SAF legislation and its role in founding the SAF Coalition underscore the increasing importance of industry-government collaboration in shaping environmental policies. This proactive stance could give United a seat at the table in future policy discussions.

4. International implications: With United purchasing SAF for airports in multiple countries (U.S., UK, Netherlands), there's a clear push for international alignment on SAF policies. This could influence global aviation emissions agreements and potentially impact international competition.

5. Cross-industry collaboration: The involvement of companies from various sectors in the Eco-Skies Alliance and UAV Sustainable Flight Fund indicates a trend towards shared responsibility for emissions reduction. This could lead to new policy frameworks that extend beyond the aviation industry.

As these policy trends evolve, they could significantly shape the competitive landscape of the airline industry, with potential winners and losers based on their ability to navigate and capitalize on the changing regulatory environment.

Governor Pritzker joins United leaders to highlight the role that Illinois SAF tax credits played in paving the way for SAF at O'Hare in 2024; first supply to arrive in August

United will receive up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ through end of 2024 

United led U.S. airlines in annual SAF volumes used in 2023; O'Hare is fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use – among the most locations of any U.S. airline

CHICAGO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United today became the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel¹ (SAF) for use at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Governor JB Pritzker joined the airline's leadership at ORD to highlight the role that Illinois' SAF tax credits played in bringing sustainable aviation fuel to one of the largest airports in the U.S.

SAF producer Neste will provide up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™² to United at ORD in 2024 with the first supply arriving in August.³ 

United was the first airline to create a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, and remains a U.S. industry leader in the purchase and use of SAF. The airline purchased more sustainable fuel than any U.S. airline in 2023 and the agreement with Neste makes O'Hare the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use – among the most locations of any U.S. airline.

"Since day one as Governor, I've 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," said Governor JB 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."

SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce GHG emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis – from production to end use - because it is made from renewable materials rather than drilled fossil oil. SAF is among aviation's best, most scalable options to push the industry towards net zero emissions in part because it can be used right now with existing infrastructure - no changes to fuel systems or aircraft engines required.

"This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together," said United President Brett Hart, who was at ORD today with the Governor. "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."

United has now purchased SAF for airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, 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," U.S. 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. At the federal level, I've 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."

United SAF Policy Leadership

United 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. 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.

To further develop and deploy SAF in the U.S. and advocate for policies that will help U.S. fuel producers lead this growing industry, United helped found the SAF Coalition, a consortium that includes more than 40 airlines and aircraft operators, agricultural enterprises, aircraft and aircraft equipment manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labor unions and biofuel producers.

United Leadership & Coalition Building

United's 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 recognizes that no one carrier or industry can solve climate change alone and that's why United has also rallied the business community to scale more sustainable aviation fuel.

• SAF purchased for United's flights is paid for in part through the company's Eco-Skies Alliance^SM, where participating companies work together to share the "green premium," or the cost associated with purchasing lower emission fuels. Since 2021, the alliance has collectively contributed toward the purchase of more than 10.5 million gallons of SAF.
  • ESA companies include: Autodesk, Bank of America, BCG, DB Schenker, Envirotainer, First Eagle Investments, Marken, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Salesforce, Meta, ZS, SEKO, Sidley Austin LLP, Yusen Logistics
    
    
• Launched in 2023, the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund^SM is a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to leverage support from cross-industry businesses in order to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel. The fund is comprised of more than $200 million in investment commitments from United and 21 corporate partners.

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

Forward-Looking Statements and Other Important Information
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to, among other things, plans and projections regarding the company's environmental, social or governance (ESG) goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and related business and stakeholder impacts. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, any failure to meet stated ESG goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives in the time frame expected or at all as a result of many factors, including changing societal, market, competitive, regulatory or stakeholder expectations, and any delay or inability of United Airlines to realize the expected benefits of the transaction, including from a delay or failure of any project to be fully developed or become operational or to produce sustainable aviation fuel or other ESG-related product in the amounts contemplated or at all. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect United's business and market, particularly those identified in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections in United's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Risks and uncertainties related to United's environmental compliance, climate commitments and climate strategy are further described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of United's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023—"We are subject to many forms of environmental regulation and liability as well as risks associated with climate change and may incur substantial costs as a result. In addition, failure to achieve or demonstrate progress towards our climate goals may expose us to liability and reputational harm."

The statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, United Airlines undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. In particular, United Airlines reserves the right to change, amend, supplement or abandon some or all of the statements regarding goals, targets, commitments, strategies, initiatives, intentions and other statements from time to time without notice.

¹SAF must be blended with conventional jet fuel in accordance with current regulatory requirements to be used as fuel for an aircraft.

²When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology, using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over the fuel's life cycle, compared to using conventional jet fuel.

³United requires its SAF to be certified by an independent, third-party certification system, like the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) or Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), as compliant with certain sustainability criteria.

 

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SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

How much sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will United Airlines receive for O'Hare International Airport?

United Airlines will receive up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ for use at O'Hare International Airport through the end of 2024.

When will United Airlines start using SAF at O'Hare International Airport?

The first supply of SAF for United Airlines at O'Hare International Airport will arrive in August 2024.

How many airports does United Airlines (UAL) now use SAF at?

O'Hare International Airport is the fifth airport where United Airlines (UAL) has purchased SAF for operational use, among the most locations of any U.S. airline.

What is United Airlines' (UAL) goal for greenhouse gas emissions?

United Airlines (UAL) aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets.