United Airlines has become the first US carrier to sign a deal for the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) overseas. And it is no surprise that the agreement providing the right to purchase up to 52.5 million gallons of SAF over the next three years has been penned with industrious Finnish refining company Neste.

The advanced biofuel will power United's flights out of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport - and potentially other airports - as they head back over the Atlantic. Lauren Riley, United’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Managing Director for Global Environmental Affairs appointed in 2019, commented on the new agreement,

“Reducing carbon emissions from fuel is the fastest way United will reach our 100% green goal by 2050. As the airline that has invested more than any other airline in sustainable aviation fuel production, it makes sense to expand our network of partners internationally with a leading company like Neste.”

Rendering of United Airlines plane with Neste truck fueling
Neste's recent deal with United was the first international agreement a US airline has signed for the uptake of SAF. Photo: United Airlines

Starting small but ramping up rapidly

The collaboration will begin at a relatively modest scale consistent with current SAF output. In the first year, Neste will provide United Airlines with 2.5 million gallons of SAF at AMS. However, in the second year, the airline will have the right to purchase 20 million gallons and 30 million gallons in the third year. Riley continued,

“The demand from our customers to limit their emissions from flying is growing exponentially, and this agreement means that United customers flying from Amsterdam and potentially other airports will be partners in our sustainability efforts.”

United is currently operating nonstop services from AMS to New York Newark, Washington Dulles International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Chicago O'Hare, and San Francisco.

United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER on runway Amsterdam Schiphol
United was forced to ground many of its 777s earlier this year. Photo: Getty Images

Neste's biggest airline customer yet

This deal is also a significant achievement for Neste. It is the largest SAF contract it has signed with any airline - but it is contingent on the company succeeding in its ambitious plans to scale SAF production. These see the company producing 515 million gallons of SAF per year by the end of 2023, as it continues to increase capacity at facilities in Rotterdam and Singapore. Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste, said,

“We’re excited to be partnering with United in this milestone purchase agreement and make our SAF available to United, also an industry leader in SAF investments. Our global, fast-growing SAF production and supply chain supports airlines and their customers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Neste is committed to helping aviation transition to a more sustainable future, and we look forward to expanding our cooperation with United.”

Among other investments, United has put funds in synthetic biology company Cemvita Factory to begin efforts to bioengineer microbes for the purpose of creating SAF. The airline has also agreed to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF, coupled with an investment in Alder Fuels - this is enough to fly more than 57 million passengers.

Furthermore, it has options to purchase 900 million gallons from Fulcrum BioEnergy. In 2016, United became the first airline globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis with fuel from World Energy. United has also operated a passenger flight with one engine running on 100% SAF.