Private aviation company Wheels Up is starting a new program aimed at supporting and generating demand for sustainable aviation fuel.
Wheels Up charter customers looking to reduce their carbon footprint will now have the opportunity to contribute to the purchase of SAF as part of their booking. The contributions will help Wheels Up obtain SAF from Delta Air Lines, which is building up its own supply of SAF and plans to use the fuel for 10 percent of its filling needs by 2030.
Delta is part of a consortium that owns 95 percent of Wheels Up.
SAF is a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel made from nonpetroleum feedstocks. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it can be developed from food and yard waste, woody biomass, agricultural waste, cooking oils, animal fats, and algae.
SAF is a “drop in” fuel, meaning it can be blended with traditional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft engines without requiring modification. Its use can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent.
Wheels Up said SAF is currently too scarce for customers to request and pay for on their flights. By allowing customers to pay toward the procurement of SAF, however, the carrier hopes to increase demand for the fuel. Wheels Up said similar “market frameworks” are expected to play an important role in scaling SAF production and use over time.
“As demand for ESG-conscious travel options grows, this initiative allows our customers to take meaningful steps toward reducing their carbon footprint, while reinforcing Wheels Up’s commitment to sustainable aviation,” said Jill Greer, Wheels Up’s executive vice president of investor relations and sustainability.
Wheels Up is partnering with software platform Choose to implement the new program. Choose’s platform is already used by Delta, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and Flexport to operate and scale their SAF initiatives.
Delta has been working for several years to bolster the production of SAF. The company has signed offtake agreements with producers guaranteeing its purchase of SAF when it is ready, amounting to a commitment of 200 million gallons. The carrier is also backing advocacy efforts aimed at making SAF more affordable.
