JetBlue and World Fuel Services (World Fuel), a World Kinect company, announced a new commercial agreement to bring the first regular supply of Blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), provided by Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO), to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as early as the fourth quarter of 2024. Under the terms of the initial 12-month agreement, JetBlue is expected to 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 will be made available via existing infrastructure, including the Colonial Pipeline.
“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 at JetBlue. “By leveraging Valero’s globally recognized expertise in energy markets and logistics and by utilizing 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. Truly maximizing the impact of this opportunity will require engagement across all sectors.”
JetBlue has long been interested in bringing blended SAF to the northeast and hopes to maximize the supply through relationships with other like-minded New York businesses. The airline expects with ongoing corporate support and incentive programs this first step will set the stage for a growing blended SAF market in one of the busiest airport systems in the world.
Neat sustainable aviation fuel, produced by Diamond Green Diesel, LLC, a joint venture between a Valero affiliate, and Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR), will be blended by Valero with conventional jet fuel to create blended SAF, and delivered by World Fuel. Blended SAF is a drop-in product for existing aircraft and infrastructure. Neat sustainable aviation fuel is produced from a wide array of feedstocks, including agricultural wastes and used cooking oils. It can lower lifecycle GHG emissions by approximately 80%, when compared to today’s conventional jet fuel. The fuel under this agreement is expected to be delivered via existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure and claimed by JetBlue in New York.
World Fuel, a global energy management company offering fulfillment and related services to more than 150,000 customers across the aviation, marine, and land-based transportation sectors, will provide the logistics and distribution of blended SAF as part of this agreement. As an ISCC-certified trader, World Fuel is an integral part of the traceable supply chain from production to delivery.
“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,” said Brad Hurwitz, senior vice president, supply and trading, World Fuel.
As a result of state-level programs incentivizing the use of renewable fuels, the majority of domestically supplied blended SAF is delivered to West Coast airports. Engagement across public and private sectors is needed to expand the supply of SAF to more cities and grow the economies of scale.
By partnering with JetBlue and helping the airline purchase more blended SAF through JetBlue-issued SAF certificates, corporate partners can reduce their business travel emissions while encouraging the blended SAF market. With this new supply of blended SAF available at JFK, JetBlue calls on New York businesses to join the airline in bringing even more blended SAF to its hometown.
“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,” said Sara Bogdan, managing director of sustainability and environmental social governance, JetBlue, “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.”
JetBlue continues to support SAF as the most meaningful way to reduce GHG emissions as the airline aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions. JetBlue already has a regular supply of SAF for airports in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas. It is proud to have doubled its SAF procurement in 2023 from the previous year and is on track to double its procurement of SAF again in 2024.
JetBlue depends on natural resources and a healthy environment to keep its business running smoothly. Not only do we all rely on those natural resources, but tourism also relies on having beautiful, natural and preserved destinations for customers to visit. The airline focuses on issues that have the potential to impact its business. Customers, crewmembers and community are key to JetBlue’s sustainability strategy. Demand from these groups for responsible service is one of the motivations behind changes that help reduce the airline’s carbon output and overall Environmental impact.
While JetBlue views SAF as the most promising solution to rapidly and directly reduce aircraft emissions in the short and medium term, it is one piece of its larger decarbonization strategy which also includes aircraft efficiency, fuel optimization, electric ground operations, and technology partnerships. For more on JetBlue’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.jetblue.com/sustainability.
