United Airlines to Triple SAF Use in 2023
United Airlines
United Airlines will commence using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on outbound flights from San Francisco International Airport and intends to implement a SAF blend at London Heathrow Airport later this year.
These moves could enable the airline to utilise around 10 million gallons of SAF in 2023, which is almost triple the amount used in 2022 and almost 10 times more than in 2019.
According to United's Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren Riley, the airline's exponential increase in SAF use is impressive. Although 10 million gallons of SAF in 2023 represent only a small portion of what is required, United has made significant investments in producers that use a range of inputs to boost future supply.
The airline's continued cooperation with policymakers, cross-industry enterprises, and other airlines will help expand the burgeoning SAF industry and, as with solar and wind power, achieve comparable success.
United has invested in the production of over five billion gallons of SAF, more than any other airline, and as a result of its latest announcement, the company will fly more miles in 2023 than any other airline. United has already been utilising SAF blends at Los Angeles International Airport since 2016 and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam since 2022, and the airline will continue to use SAF at these airports in 2023.
Starting from April, United has received 1.5 million gallons of SAF for its departing flights from San Francisco Airport, while the remaining SAF supply will be utilised at Los Angeles International Airport and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. London Heathrow Airport is set to receive SAF later in 2023, and once delivered, it would be the first time United participates in London Heathrow's SAF incentive programme.
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Source: United
