United Airlines has become the first carrier to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. [Courtesy: United Airlines]
Key Takeaways:
United Airlines is the first carrier to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for use at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD), with plans to receive up to 1 million gallons in 2024 starting in August.
SAF is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional jet fuel, made from renewable resources like cooking oil, capable of reducing carbon emissions by up to 85 percent and usable in existing aircraft.
United is a leading advocate for SAF, having helped secure tax credits in multiple states, co-founded the SAF Coalition to expand its market, and purchased SAF for several other major airports globally.
The availability of SAF at O'Hare was made possible by Illinois tax incentives and is partially funded through United's Eco-Skies Alliance, which supports the purchase of lower-emission fuels.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
