JetBlue announced on September 29 that it intends to accelerate its transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with an off-take agreement with SG Preston, a leading bioenergy developer. With the addition of this SG Preston agreement to its previous SAF commitments, JetBlue is well ahead of its goal of converting 10% of its total fuel consumption to SAF on a blended basis by 2030. The airline will reach nearly 8% SAF usage by the end of 2023 when delivery of SAF under this agreement is expected. JetBlue is doubling down on its previous SAF engagement with SG Preston, which was first announced in 2016 as one of the largest SAF purchase agreements in aviation history.

JetBlue’s agreement with SG Preston also marks an important milestone for SAF at New York airports. The deal is expected to bring the first full-scale volume of domestically produced SAF for a commercial airline to New York metro airports. JetBlue will convert 30% of its fuel purchases at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from traditional Jet-A fuel to SAF ( b), which is expected to reduce emissions by about 80 percent per gallon of pure SAF, compared to traditional petroleum-based fuels.

Aiming for a 2023 start-up and continuing over a 10-year period, SG Preston will supply at least 670 million gallons of blended SAF to JetBlue to power its flight operations at JFK, LGA and EWR, helping JetBlue avoid around 1.5 million metric tons of CO2. emissions. JetBlue plans to invest more than $ 1 billion in the purchase of SAF during the term of this agreement, competitively priced against traditional Jet-A fuel, with no expected significant impact on the total fuel costs of the aircraft. airline company. It is the largest short-term SAF deal ever announced for delivery to the northeast and will become the airline’s largest single jet fuel deal.

“We are well beyond the stage of vague climate commitments and corporate strategies. Earlier this year, we set specific, dated and ambitious emissions targets. And now we are physically modifying the fuel in our planes to meet those commitments, ”said Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue. “At JetBlue, we invest heavily in SAF because we see it as our most promising way to quickly and directly reduce aircraft emissions in the short term. With this expanded agreement with SG Preston, nearly eight percent of JetBlue’s total fuel consumption will be SAF, which puts us well ahead of our goal of 10 percent SAF use by 2030. “

Sustainable aviation fuel is jet fuel produced from biological resources that can be replenished quickly and without impacting the food supply. Compared to traditional petroleum-based Jet-A fuel, renewable options can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants such as particulates and sulfur oxides. Safety is JetBlue’s number one priority, and SAF is functionally equivalent to conventional Jet-A fuel, with no noticeable difference in safety or performance. The fuel is fully compatible with existing jet engine technology and fuel delivery infrastructure when blended with fossil jet fuel, and is tested and transported in the same manner as regular Jet-A fuel.

SG Preston has made significant progress on a new facility in the northeast to produce SAF on a large scale. SG Preston’s renewable HEFA (hydro-treated esters and fatty acids) jet fuel will be produced sustainably from waste fats, oils, greases and non-food oilseeds. The fuel is expected to receive sustainability certification from ISCC, an independent global certification body for sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. SG Preston’s process uses state-of-the-art refining process technology, approved by the FAA for commercial flights since 2011. This SAF will be blended with Jet-A fuel at an estimated 30% mix ratio before being transported. to JFK, LGA and EWR. .

“The SG Preston-JetBlue relationship is the model of a balanced partnership designed to meet the sustainability and pricing goals of the airline and global aviation. The reality of meeting the United States’ sustainability goal of about 35 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel by 2050 is daunting. Engaging with and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders and key contributors to the solution is paramount to successfully achieving this goal. JetBlue’s continued commitment to SG Preston’s development strategy exemplifies continued confidence in our unique approach to this challenge. We are honored by this display of confidence, ”said Randy Delbert Letang, CEO of SG Preston.

JetBlue’s SAF strategy

JetBlue’s revised agreement with SG Preston is its third agreement for SAF. JetBlue recently entered into a new relationship with World Energy and World Fuel Services and began flying with SAF at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in July 2021. Additionally, JetBlue partnered with Neste in August 2020 to fuel its flights departing from San Francisco International Airport (OFS) with SAF. JetBlue’s SAF strategy was developed with the support and guidance of ICF energy market experts.

While JetBlue sees SAF as the most promising solution to quickly and directly reduce aircraft emissions in the short to medium term, it is part of its broader decarbonization strategy, including aircraft efficiency. , fuel optimization, sustainable aviation fuel, electric ground operations, technological partnerships and carbon offsetting.

Hayes continued, “We recognize that airlines have a responsibility to decarbonize our operations and usher in a truly sustainable era of travel. We are therefore moving forward as an industry with clear commitments and actions. However, we cannot do it alone. In order for our industry to meet our ambitious goals, we are asking for the collaboration and leadership of our key stakeholders – fuel suppliers, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and governments to play a critical role in moving towards zero. net. “

JetBlue’s Commitment to Sustainable Growth in New York

New York is the home of JetBlue and where more than 7,000 of its crew members live and work. The airline is experiencing significant growth in New York City and continues with plans to significantly increase flights and bring more low fares and jobs to JFK, LGA and EWR as part of its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines. As JetBlue increases its presence and brings more air services to the three airports in the region, it is more important than ever to grow in a sustainable manner.

With a focus on more sustainable operations, JetBlue was recently selected for a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Transportation Electrification Initiative for Electrical Ground Service Equipment (eGSE ) to EWR. With this grant, JetBlue will convert 38 ground service vehicles to electric vehicles and install 16 charging stations at two ports, with additional support from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As a result of this conversion and one underway at Boston Logan International Airport, JetBlue will have converted 39% of these three types of vehicles to electric. This is significant progress towards JetBlue’s eGSE target of converting 40 percent of its bag tugs, belt loaders and pushbacks to electric scale by 2025, and 50 percent by 2030 .

Additionally, JetBlue is making important updates to the T5 by upgrading the entire terminal to LED lighting solutions provided by Brightcore Energy, a leading provider of turnkey energy efficiency projects, from the ‘solar heating and cooling lighting, renewables, EV chargers and battery storage. Upgrades to the T5 will reduce JetBlue’s lighting energy consumption by approximately 66%, based on current usage. The project will have a significant impact, saving more than 2.1 million kWh per year, while improving aesthetics, reducing energy costs and reducing the terminal’s carbon footprint.

“We applaud JetBlue’s commitment to converting 30 percent of its fuel demand from traditional jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel at New York City’s three major airports. This latest initiative from JetBlue is a critical step towards accelerating production and adoption of FAS in the North East and realizing the associated environmental benefits in our region, ”said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. of NY & NJ. “This initiative advances our continued collaboration with JetBlue on important sustainability measures, including energy efficiency upgrades and the electrification of ground handling equipment at our airports. “

JetBlue’s focus on the environment

JetBlue depends on natural resources and a healthy environment to keep its business running smoothly. Natural resources are essential for the airline to fly, and tourism relies on beautiful, natural and unspoiled destinations that customers can visit. The airline is focusing on issues that may impact its business. Customers, crew members and the community are key to JetBlue’s sustainability strategy. The demand of these groups for responsible service is one of the motivations for the changes which help to reduce the environmental impact of the airline. To learn more about JetBlue’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.jetblue.com/sustainability.