United Airlines has become the first carrier to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker joined United’s leadership at ORD to highlight the impact of Illinois’ SAF tax credits in facilitating this significant development at one of the largest airports in the US.
Neste will supply up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to United at ORD in 2024, with the first delivery arriving in August.
United acquired more sustainable fuel than any other US carrier in 2023, and the deal with Neste makes O’Hare the fifth airport where United will use SAF—one of the highest numbers of locations for any US airline.
Governor JB Pritzker said, “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. 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, produced from renewable materials rather than fossil fuels, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% over its lifecycle. It represents a scalable option for achieving net-zero aviation emissions, as it can be used with existing infrastructure without modifications to fuel systems or aircraft engines.
“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together. 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,” said United President Brett Hart.
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. One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is to 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,” said US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
