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Delta delivers first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel shipment at Portland International Airport

Delta delivers first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel shipment at Portland International Airport
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Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer | Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines, Shell, and the Port of Portland have collaborated to deliver Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into the fuel system at Portland International Airport (PDX), marking the first commercial-scale SAF uplift at this location. The delivery included over 400,000 gallons of blended SAF produced in the United States from waste-derived feedstock. Shell supplied the neat SAF to Zenith Terminal in Portland, where it was blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory standards before being transported to PDX by barge, truck, and pipeline.

The introduction of SAF at PDX is part of a broader effort to increase the use of alternative fuels in aviation. Charlotte Lollar, Delta’s SAF director, stated: “Every SAF delivery is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can unlock markets for sustainable aviation fuel. By working with Shell and the Port of Portland to tap into existing infrastructure, we’re able to access SAF at more airports and continue to prove its viability and ultimately scale it in a way the industry needs.”

Dan Pippenger, Chief Aviation Officer for the Port of Portland, commented: “We're excited about this step toward bringing Sustainable Aviation Fuel to PDX. It’s a move that can help improve local air quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, which is great news for our communities. We're looking forward to working with our partners to make sure state and local policies support development of the infrastructure and market needed to bring SAF here on a larger scale – and unlock all of the health and environmental benefits it offers.”

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SAF is produced from renewable sources such as waste materials. While current airport infrastructure allows for its distribution using existing systems and it is compatible with present-day aircraft engines, production technology remains limited. As a result, supply does not meet global airline demand even for one week each year.

Delta has been active locally with stakeholders like the Port of Portland in developing sustained market access for SAF in Oregon. The airline also works at federal and state levels advocating for incentives aimed at increasing production volumes while improving cost-competitiveness so that greater quantities become accessible nationwide. In 2022, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden led efforts resulting in enactment of initial federal incentives such as the 40B SAF Blenders Tax Credit and establishing the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit; Congress extended 45Z through 2029.

This delivery marks Delta's first commercial-scale use of SAF at PDX as part of its ongoing strategy across multiple airport systems nationwide. Delta operates significant services from PDX including nonstop flights connecting Oregonians with nearly all company hubs as well as more than 300 one-stop destinations globally. The airline employs nearly 4,500 people throughout the Pacific Northwest region.

For additional information about Delta’s sustainability initiatives visit their website.

Organizations Included in this History
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