- JetBlue Airways signed a 12-month agreement with World Fuel Services and Valero Energy Corp.
- World Fuel Services will manage logistics and distribution using existing infrastructure, such as the Colonial Pipeline, facilitating SAF delivery to New York City.
- JetBlue aims to enhance SAF supply through partnerships with New York businesses and views this agreement as a critical step toward building a strong SAF market in the region.
JetBlue Airways signed a 12-month agreement with World Fuel Services to deliver sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for flights from New York’s JFK Airport. Valero Energy Corp. will supply the SAF blend, and JetBlue will receive at least 1 million gallons with the option to purchase up to 4 million more.
World Fuel Services will handle logistics and distribution using existing infrastructure, including the Colonial Pipeline, which spans about 5,500 miles from Houston to Linden, New Jersey, near New York City.
JetBlue has long sought to bring blended SAF to the Northeast and aims to boost supply through partnerships with other New York businesses. The airline views this agreement as a significant step toward establishing a strong SAF market in New York.
JetBlue’s Managing Director of Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance, Sara Bogdan, highlighted the airline’s plan to leverage Valero’s expertise in energy markets. She noted that the program will use existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure, stressing that maximising the impact of this initiative will require collaboration across sectors.
This development comes as United Airlines prepares to start using SAF produced by Nestle for flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. United will utilise SAF at a fifth airport.
JetBlue’s deal with World Fuel Services and Valero forms part of a broader push to incorporate sustainable fuels into commercial aviation. The airline aims to reduce its carbon footprint and support the development of cleaner energy sources.
The agreement marks a milestone in JetBlue’s sustainability efforts. By securing a reliable supply of SAF, the airline takes concrete steps toward reducing its environmental impact. The partnership with Valero and World Fuel Services ensures that JetBlue can access the necessary logistics and distribution channels to make SAF a viable option for its flights.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, SAF offers other environmental benefits. It can lower particulates and sulfur emitted during flights, improving air quality around airports. This aligns with JetBlue’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The airline’s initiative also supports broader industry goals. The aviation sector faces increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, with regulators and consumers demanding greater accountability for environmental impacts. By investing in SAF, JetBlue positions itself as a leader in the transition to greener aviation.
The move to SAF forms part of JetBlue’s overall strategy to achieve carbon neutrality. The airline set ambitious targets for reducing its emissions and explored various avenues to meet these goals. SAF plays a key role in this strategy, offering a way to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel while still meeting passengers’ demands.
JetBlue’s agreement with World Fuel Services and Valero represents a forward-looking step. It addresses immediate logistical challenges and lays the groundwork for future expansion of SAF use. By developing relationships with key players in the energy sector, JetBlue ensures it can continue to access sustainable fuels as they become more widely available.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need to embrace sustainability in the aviation industry. As airlines grapple with the realities of climate change, partnerships like this one will prove crucial in driving the industry toward a more sustainable future. JetBlue’s proactive approach sets a precedent for others in the sector, demonstrating that balancing operational needs with environmental responsibilities is possible.