Delta and Shell expand SAF supply across major US airports - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Delta Air Lines plans to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel across several major US hubs and priority cities under a new five-year agreement with Shell Aviation. The collaboration, which runs through 2030, is designed not only to increase access to SAF but also to develop the logistics, blending and distribution systems needed to integrate the fuel into everyday airline operations.

The initiative will initially focus on Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. By taking a multi-airport approach, Delta and Shell aim to improve fuel supply resilience while creating a broader foundation for lower-emission air travel.

Infrastructure at the centre of the agreement

The partnership builds on decades of cooperation between Delta and Shell in the supply of conventional jet fuel. Under the new agreement, Shell will support deliveries of both blended and unblended SAF at selected airports, depending on local infrastructure and operational requirements.

The companies intend to establish the storage, blending and distribution capabilities required for a dependable long-term supply. This infrastructure-led approach is designed to allow SAF availability to grow in line with demand without compromising the reliability of flight operations.

“Current instability and uncertainty have made one thing very clear to consumers and businesses alike — supply diversity matters. With Shell, we’re proving that scaling SAF isn’t theoretical, it’s achievable,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “This is about activating real supply chains at scale and creating a model that others can build on as we work across the industry to expand lower-impact travel.”

Broader fuel strategy strengthens supply resilience

The agreement covers conventional jet fuel as well as SAF and forms part of a wider strategy to diversify energy supply for aviation. Shell sees the cooperation as a way to address current fuel requirements while preparing for longer-term changes in the sector.

“This collaboration delivers on today’s fuel needs and tomorrow’s aviation solutions. By supplying conventional jet, SAF and longer-term innovation, the deal will help strengthen energy security and contribute to the transformation of aviation,” said Reema Bari, Head of Aviation Americas.

Delta and Shell will also evaluate next-generation production technologies, including alcohol-to-jet and power-to-liquid processes. These pathways could help unlock additional SAF volumes and further reduce lifecycle emissions as production capacity expands.

Existing projects provide a foundation for growth

The agreement follows a series of earlier SAF initiatives involving Delta. The airline is an anchor partner of the Minnesota SAF Hub, a coalition created to support regional production and replace a growing share of conventional jet fuel.

In 2024, two deliveries of more than 7,000 gallons of SAF reached Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. According to Delta, these were the first such shipments in the aviation history of Minnesota and Michigan.

Fuel remains central to Delta’s climate strategy

Delta has set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Its strategy focuses on the aircraft it operates, the way flights are conducted and the fuels used across the network.

Around 90 percent of the airline’s carbon emissions are linked to jet fuel. Delta therefore regards SAF as the most immediately available option for reducing aviation emissions while new aircraft technologies and alternative propulsion systems continue to develop.

The collaboration with Shell is intended to demonstrate how coordinated investment across the SAF value chain can move the fuel beyond isolated projects and towards regular use across multiple airports.

Image Credit: © Delta Air Lines