Delta Airlines has signed an agreement with DG Fuels for up to 385 million unblended gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). DG Fuels is a hydrogen and biogenic-based fuel developer. Both companies aim to expand the availability of sustainable fuel, with a new low-emissions SAF, which is critical to achieving a more sustainable future for aviation.
Under a new agreement, the low-emissions fuel company plans to establish a new SAF supply stream that could provide Delta with 385 million gallons of unblended sustainable aviation fuel, while helping to expand availability of SAF in the underserved marketplace.
New supply chain streams will help ensure sustainable fuel becomes more available and affordable.
Pam Fletcher, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer
Anticipated to begin delivery by the end of 2027, DG Fuels is planning to deliver 55 million gallons of SAF annually for seven years. The SAF will likely use timber waste, corn stover and cotton gin waste as feedstock and is expected to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emission by between 75%-85% compared to conventional jet fuel, which aligns with Delta’s goal as a founding member of the First Movers Coalition.
The agreement also moves Delta toward its recently validated ‘Science Based Targets’ initiative goal to reduce well-to-wake scope 1 and 3 jet fuel greenhouse gas emissions by 45% per revenue tonne kilometer by 2035 from a 2019 base year. Non-CO2e effects, which may also contribute to aviation-induced warming, are not included in this target. Delta has committed to publicly report on non-CO2e impacts of aviation over its target timeframe.
Cellulosic biomass feedstock SAF is the key to scaled deployment that moves the needle for the aviation industry in reducing its carbon footprint.
Christopher J. Chaput, President and CFO of DG Fuels
The ‘Science Based Targets’ initiative is a coalition that defines and promotes emissions reductions goals that climate scientists predict is needed to keep global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
SAF is among the solutions on the market today for reducing aviation’s carbon emissions, but availability remains limited; the current existing supply would only operate a fleet Delta’s size for a single day. The new agreement reflects Delta’s dedication to driving the growth of sustainable fuels as it works toward reducing aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term.
In SAF and other emerging technologies, Delta is also partnering with corporate, agency and cargo customers on SAF agreements to encourage the growth of the alternative fuels markets. Those efforts have resulted in more than 1 million gallons of purchased SAF so far.
