JetBlue, Valero sign supply deal to bring SAF to New York

New York-based JetBlue Airways announced a partnership with World Fuel Services and Valero to introduce a regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to John F. Kennedy International Airport New York.

“This newly available SAF in our hometown is a key signal of the growing engagement by major fuel producers and the potential of SAF to meaningfully address aviation’s carbon emissions,” said Sara Bogdan, managing director of sustainability and environmental social governance, JetBlue.

“By leveraging Valero’s globally recognized expertise in energy markets and logistics, and by utilising existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure, this new large-scale supply of SAF is set to be a pivotal moment as the industry grows the use of SAF.”

Starting as early as the fourth quarter of 2024, JetBlue plans to purchase a minimum of 1m gallons of neat SAF (equivalent to approximately 3.3m gallons of blended SAF), with the option to increase this volume to 4m gallons of neat SAF (approximately 13.3m gallons blended).

The blended SAF will be distributed through existing infrastructure, including the Colonial Pipeline.

Neat SAF, produced by Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), a joint venture between a Valero affiliate and Darling Ingredients, will be blended by Valero with conventional jet fuel to create blended SAF, and delivered by World Fuel.

Port Arthur site is expected to begin SAF production from fourth quarter of 2024 from a wide array of feedstocks, including agricultural wastes and used cooking oils.

DGD’s Texas facility will have the capability to upgrade approximately 50% of its current 470m gallon annual production capacity to SAF.

With the completion of this project, DGD is expected to be one of the largest SAF manufacturers in the world.