Delta Air Lines in partnership with Shell and the Port of Portland, has completed the first commercial-scale delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into the Portland International Airport (PDX) fuel system.
Delta Air Lines, in collaboration with Shell and the Port of Portland, announced the successful delivery and integration of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into the fuel supply system at Portland International Airport (PDX), marking the first commercial-scale SAF uplift at the hub.
The inaugural batch, totaling more than 400,000 gallons of blended SAF, was produced in the U.S. from waste-derived feedstock. The logistical process was a testament to industry collaboration: Shell supplied the neat SAF to a terminal in Portland, where it was blended with conventional jet fuel to meet all regulatory standards. The blended fuel was then delivered to PDX via a combination of barge, truck, and pipeline.
According to Delta’s SAF Director, Charlotte Lollar, "Every SAF delivery is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can unlock markets for sustainable aviation fuel." She emphasized that by working with Shell and the Port of Portland to utilize existing infrastructure, Delta is able to access SAF at more airports and prove its viability and scalability.”
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a crucial component in the airline industry's plan to achieve net-zero emissions. Made from renewable sources, it can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. It is a "drop-in" fuel, meaning it can be used in current aircraft engines and existing fuel infrastructure without any modifications, making it a practical and immediate solution. Despite these advantages, the technology to produce SAF is still in its early stages, making it expensive and not widely available. In fact, current global production is not enough to fuel the world's airlines for even a single week.
Locally, Delta is working with the Port of Portland and other stakeholders to create a sustained market and delivery structure for SAF. On a national level, the airline is advocating for new government incentives to increase production and improve cost-competitiveness. These efforts build on the groundwork laid by Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, who championed the first federal SAF incentives, including the 40B SAF Blenders Tax Credit and the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.
This delivery at PDX is a continuation of Delta's broader SAF strategy, which has already seen similar deliveries at major hubs like Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Detroit (DTW).
