CHICAGO -- United Airlines has committed an additional $40
million toward the development of sustainable aviation fuel and other decarbonization
technologies. The move bolsters the carrier's position as the clear U.S. leader
in aviation biofuel commitment.
"What we want to do is revolutionary," United president
Scott Kirby told a gathering of reporters Friday. He said that the airline's
goal is to push sustainable fuel toward economic viability.
Though five types of biofuel have already been
approved for use on commercial aircraft, production to this point has been just
a tiny fraction of all aircraft fuel refined. Meanwhile, the cost of the fuel is
two to three times higher than the cost of traditional kerosene jet fuel. Biofuel
can reduce aircraft emissions by as much as 80%.
Kirby offered few details about this latest United
investment but said the $40 million would go toward a new investment vehicle
focused on accelerating sustainable-fuel development.
In recent years, United has been the primary customer of
Paramount, Calif.-based World Energy's sustainable aviation fuel, which until late last year was the
lone aviation biofuel product being regularly refined. The carrier has used the
Paramount fuel in operations out of Los Angeles.
This year, United agreed to purchase 10 million gallons of
Paramount sustainable fuel for each of the next two years. United has also
invested $30 million into a partnership with Fulcrum BioEnergy for construction
of up to five sustainable-fuel refineries near its hubs.