Delta teams up with Shell for SAF offtake at Portland International Airport

Delta Air Lines said it has successfully received delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Portland International Airport for the first time.

The SAF, a batch of more than 400,000 gallons, was delivered by Shell into the PDX fuel system in partnership with the Port of Portland.

Shell delivered neat SAF to Zenith Terminal in Portland where it was blended with traditional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements, then delivered to PDX via barge, truck and pipeline.

Earlier this month, the blended SAF entered the airport’s privately owned fuel supply system. 

“Every SAF delivery is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can unlock markets for SAF,” said Charlotte Lollar, Delta’s SAF director. “By working with Shell and the Port of Portland to tap into existing infrastructure, we’re able to access SAF at more airports and continue to prove its viability and ultimately scale it in a way the industry needs.”

“We’re excited about this step toward bringing SAF to PDX. It’s a move that can help improve local air quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, which is great news for our communities,” said Port of Portland chief aviation officer Dan Pippenger.

The airline said it is working with the Port of Portland and other key stakeholders to enable a sustained market and delivery structure for SAF.

Delta is also working at the federal level and across key states to advocate for continued and new government incentives that will increase production, improve cost-competitiveness and make SAF more accessible at scale.

Earlier, Delta has received SAF deliveries at hubs like Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Detroit (DTW). With deliveries at Portland International Airport, Delta said it shows the efforts taken by the airline to expand SAF availability and prove its repeatability and scalability across diverse airport systems.