Japan Airlines and Gevo have announced a new agreement for the purchase of 5.3 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for five years, with deliveries expected to commence in 2027.
The agreement falls within the purview of an MoU that oneworld and Gevo signed in March 2022, laying the foundation for associated airlines in the alliance to purchase up to 200 million gallons of SAF from Gevo's commercial operations.
The agreement will also support Gevo's goal of producing and commercialising one billion gallons of SAF by 2030.
"Our sustainable aviation fuel is a drop-in fuel that delivers renewable energy where it’s needed," said Dr Patrick R. Gruber, Gevo's chief executive officer.
"Our process is a model of efficiency, designed to allow the same acre of farmland to produce SAF from corn using atmospheric carbon while simultaneously adding high-value nutritional products to the food chain."
As the airline industry moves to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by cutting the quantity of fuel used, JAL noted that along with other oneworld members, they acknowledge that, to achieve further reductions in emissions they need to change the fuels and expect that the use of SAF will become widespread toward 2030.
JAL and oneworld are seeking to reach a net-zero emission by 2050, with an intermediate target of replacing 10% of conventional jet fuel to SAF by 2030.
"JAL sees the value in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels while still being able to continue to use its existing aircraft," Gruber said. "Our agreement will empower the company to achieve carbon-emissions reductions now as it explores other technologies to manage its energy transition."
JAL noted that the deal is subject to "certain conditions precedent," including Gevo developing, financing, and constructing one or more production facilities to produce the SAF contemplated by the agreement.
