FedEx expanded its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives last month, beginning deliveries of blended SAF at two new U.S. airports—Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Miami International Airport. These October deliveries mark the company’s second and third major SAF deployments at U.S. airports within half a year. The first occurred in May at Los Angeles International Airport.
“Each new agreement shows fuel producers that airlines are ready and willing partners in scaling the SAF market,” said Karen Blanks Ellis, chief sustainability officer and vice president of Environmental Affairs at FedEx. “Although current SAF supply still falls short of industry demand, we’re encouraged by signs that production is increasing worldwide this year.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
At O’Hare, FedEx will receive a blended fuel supply that includes one million gallons of neat SAF at a minimum 30% blend from Air bp. With the initial delivery in October, FedEx became the first U.S.-based cargo airline to both purchase and use SAF at O’Hare.
“O’Hare was a natural next step for our alternative fuel strategy due to its established infrastructure and supportive state policies,” Ellis added.
Miami International Airport
In Miami, FedEx has begun receiving approximately three million gallons of blended SAF, also with a minimum 30% blend, supplied by AEG.
“With our Miami hub connecting flights across Latin America and the Caribbean every day, it’s fitting that this location is advancing sustainable fuel adoption,” said Luiz R. Vasconcelos, president of FedEx Latin America and the Caribbean. “This milestone highlights our commitment and shows customers that sustainability is a regional priority. From SAF use in Miami to the rollout of electric delivery vehicles in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, we’re integrating sustainable innovation throughout our operations.”
SAF as Part of a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
Because neat SAF must currently be blended with conventional jet fuel, blended SAF can be used in existing aircraft without any engine or infrastructure modifications. FedEx aims for 30% of its total fuel supply to come from alternative sources on a blended basis by 2030.
SAF adoption is one piece of a larger aviation sustainability effort at FedEx. While SAF and traditional jet fuel produce similar emissions when burned, SAF production can reduce lifecycle emissions by as much as 80% compared to fossil fuel extraction.^ This underscores the importance of pairing alternative fuels with reduced fuel consumption and greater operational efficiency.
Modernizing aircraft and implementing fuel-saving measures allowed FedEx to avoid using 140 million gallons of jet fuel in FY2024, saving the company $400 million. FedEx also met its goal of reducing aircraft emissions intensity by 30% from 2005 levels in FY2024 and has now raised its target to a 40% reduction by 2034.
Click here to know more about the FedEx sustainability strategy and the company’s goal of carbon neutral global operations by 2040.
“Each new agreement shows fuel producers that airlines are ready and willing partners in scaling the SAF market,” said Karen Blanks Ellis, chief sustainability officer and vice president of Environmental Affairs at FedEx. “Although current SAF supply still falls short of industry demand, we’re encouraged by signs that production is increasing worldwide this year.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
At O’Hare, FedEx will receive a blended fuel supply that includes one million gallons of neat SAF at a minimum 30% blend from Air bp. With the initial delivery in October, FedEx became the first U.S.-based cargo airline to both purchase and use SAF at O’Hare.
“O’Hare was a natural next step for our alternative fuel strategy due to its established infrastructure and supportive state policies,” Ellis added.
Miami International Airport
In Miami, FedEx has begun receiving approximately three million gallons of blended SAF, also with a minimum 30% blend, supplied by AEG.
“With our Miami hub connecting flights across Latin America and the Caribbean every day, it’s fitting that this location is advancing sustainable fuel adoption,” said Luiz R. Vasconcelos, president of FedEx Latin America and the Caribbean. “This milestone highlights our commitment and shows customers that sustainability is a regional priority. From SAF use in Miami to the rollout of electric delivery vehicles in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, we’re integrating sustainable innovation throughout our operations.”
SAF as Part of a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
Because neat SAF must currently be blended with conventional jet fuel, blended SAF can be used in existing aircraft without any engine or infrastructure modifications. FedEx aims for 30% of its total fuel supply to come from alternative sources on a blended basis by 2030.
SAF adoption is one piece of a larger aviation sustainability effort at FedEx. While SAF and traditional jet fuel produce similar emissions when burned, SAF production can reduce lifecycle emissions by as much as 80% compared to fossil fuel extraction.^ This underscores the importance of pairing alternative fuels with reduced fuel consumption and greater operational efficiency.
Modernizing aircraft and implementing fuel-saving measures allowed FedEx to avoid using 140 million gallons of jet fuel in FY2024, saving the company $400 million. FedEx also met its goal of reducing aircraft emissions intensity by 30% from 2005 levels in FY2024 and has now raised its target to a 40% reduction by 2034.
Click here to know more about the FedEx sustainability strategy and the company’s goal of carbon neutral global operations by 2040.