JetBlue and fuel provider World Fuel Services announced a new supply agreement for up to 5 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at New York’s JFK airport, with deliveries beginning as early as the fourth quarter of 2024.

According to the new agreement, World Fuel will supply blended SAF provided by Valero Marketing and Supply Company, consisting of neat SAF produced by Valero and Darling Ingredients joint venture Diamond Green Diesel blended with conventional jet fuel. Diamond Green Diesel’s Port Arthur, Texas plant produces renewable fuels from recycled animal fats, used cooking oil and inedible corn oil.

With an initial term of 12 months, the agreement will see JetBlue take delivery of a minimum of 1,000,000 gallons of neat sustainable aviation fuel (approximately 3,300,000 gallons blended) – with an option to purchase up to an additional 4,000,000 gallons (approximately 13,300,000 gallons blended).

The blended SAF is expected to be delivered via existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure and claimed by JetBlue in New York.

Brad Hurwitz, Senior Vice President, Supply and Trading at World Fuel, said:

“It takes support across the full supply chain to grow the blended SAF market and meet the aviation industry’s objectives. We are proud to work with JetBlue to bring blended SAF to one of our largest airport locations, further supporting our ambition at World Fuel to grow a consistent supply network for SAF in the US East Coast.”

In December 2022, JetBlue announced a commitment to reduce lifecycle emissions related to jet fuel by 50% per revenue tonne kilometer (RTK) by 2035, and released its roadmap to the achievement of its climate targets, indicating that transitioning to SAF is expected to be the key contributor to the airline’s decarbonization strategy, representing over half of its emissions reductions relative to a business-as-usual pathway.

In 2022, JetBlue also launched its JetBlue Sustainable Travel Partners program, aimed at helping corporate customers address Scope 3 travel emissions, with offerings including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certificate purchases, complimentary carbon offsetting on all domestic flights operated by JetBlue, and personalized travel data and analysis for emissions reporting.

With the new agreement in place, JetBlue said that it “calls on New York businesses to join the airline in bringing even more blended SAF to its hometown.”

Sara Bogdan, Managing Director of Sustainability and ESG at JetBlue, said:

“As a global hub for travel and commerce, we have an opportunity for New York to be viewed as a center for responsible business as well. We’re asking companies who rely on the convenient and readily available flights to and from our New York area airports to help us show the demand and interest for more sustainable options.”