United Airlines first carrier to use SAF at Chicago O’Hare
SAF producer Neste is to provide up to one million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel for use by United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in 2024, enabling the carrier to be the first to use SAF from the location.
The first supply of blended Neste SAF will arrive at Chicago O’Hare via pipeline in August from Neste’s newly-commissioned SAF terminal capacity in Houston.
The partnership with United and delivery of fuel “underlines [Neste’s] commitment to supporting the US aviation industry in its efforts to decarbonise and shows the important role that policy supports like the federal SAF 40B credit and the Illinois’ SAF Purchase Credit play in accelerating SAF usage,” commented Alexander Kueper, vice president of renewable aviation business at Neste.
United president Brett Hard added that “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”.
The new tax credit – introduced in Illinois in 2023 – entails one purchase credit for every gallon of SAF sold to or used by an air carrier in the state, positioning Illinois “at the forefront of encouraging SAF adoption,” explains Neste.
