Delta Air Lines, Shell, and the Port of Portland have completed the first commercial-scale delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Portland International Airport (PDX). This event marks a significant step for Delta in expanding its use of SAF and positions PDX to benefit from future growth in sustainable fuel adoption across the United States.
The delivery included over 400,000 gallons of blended SAF produced in the U.S. from waste-derived feedstock. Shell supplied the neat SAF to Zenith Terminal in Portland, where it was mixed with traditional jet fuel to comply with regulatory standards before being transported to PDX via barge, truck, and pipeline. The blended fuel entered the airport’s privately owned supply system earlier this month.
“Every SAF delivery is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can unlock markets for sustainable aviation fuel,” said Charlotte Lollar, Delta’s SAF director. “By working with Shell and the Port of Portland to tap into existing infrastructure, we’re able to access SAF at more airports and continue to prove its viability and ultimately scale it in a way the industry needs.”
Dan Pippenger, Chief Aviation Officer at the Port of Portland, stated: “We’re excited about this step toward bringing Sustainable Aviation Fuel to PDX. It’s a move that can help improve local air quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, which is great news for our communities. We’re looking forward to working with our partners to make sure state and local policies support development of the infrastructure and market needed to bring SAF here on a larger scale – and unlock all of the health and environmental benefits it offers.”
SAF is produced from renewable sources such as waste materials. It can be distributed using current jet fuel infrastructure and is compatible with existing aircraft engines. Despite these advantages, production technology remains early-stage; as a result, costs are high and availability is limited—current global production levels are not sufficient to power airlines for even one week.
Delta is collaborating locally with stakeholders at the Port of Portland to develop a sustained market for SAF delivery. The airline also advocates at federal and state levels for incentives aimed at increasing production volumes, reducing costs, and improving accessibility. In 2022, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden played a key role in establishing initial federal incentives like the 40B SAF Blenders Tax Credit and 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit; these measures provided policy frameworks now adopted by states nationwide. Congress extended 45Z through 2029 earlier this year.
This milestone builds on Delta’s broader strategy focused on expanding access to sustainable fuels across various airport systems nationwide.
Delta has an established presence in Oregon through operations at PDX. The airline provides nonstop service from Portland to nearly all its hub airports as well as over 300 one-stop destinations globally. With almost 4,500 employees based in the Pacific Northwest region, Delta maintains partnerships with community organizations both locally and nationally.
For more information about Delta’s sustainability initiatives visit their website.
