American Airlines is launching a new initiative aimed at procuring 35 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over the next three years, in partnership with Google.
This record-breaking agreement is the largest of its kind between an airline and a single company and, according to the airline, will unlock 35 million gallons (132 million litres) of SAF over a three-year period, resulting in a reduction of nearly 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions.
The sustainable fuel will be produced from waste feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, and will be delivered to American Airlines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Google will receive sustainable aviation fuel certificates, aimed at helping reduce emissions from its employees’ business travel.
The long-term nature of this agreement has enabled American Airlines to secure a new SAF supply market from Valero Marketing and Supply Company and reinforces the airline’s commitment to sustainable aviation fuels.
“Our industry-leading agreement with Google represents a critical step toward reducing emissions from our operations,” said Jill Blickstein, American’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “By partnering with leaders like Google who share our commitment to innovation, we are helping to increase demand for SAF and supporting the development of a stronger, more resilient market,” she added.
The airline also said that this SAF agreement was made possible thanks to officials in Illinois, including Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly, which approved a tax incentive for SAF.
As a result, thanks to cooperation between industry and government authorities, American Airlines will be able to bring significant volumes of SAF to O’Hare Airport.
‘This strategic partnership with American Airlines demonstrates how companies can collaborate to adopt critical sustainability technologies,’ said Kate Brandt, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
