In collaboration with Avfuel Corporation and Neste, DFW International Airport has become the first U.S. airport to test a collaborative “circular economy” in the aviation industry.
This milestone comes directly after DFW Airport received its first delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This first successful delivery is a part of a pilot project at DFW that demonstrates the technical and commercial viability of SAF.
The pilot would demonstrate its potential to close the circularity loop at the airport by giving raw materials to produce renewable fuels.
“The introduction of sustainable aviation fuel to DFW Airport marks a major milestone in our effort to reduce our sector’s overall carbon footprint,” said DFW Airport Environmental Affairs VP Robert Horton. “We recognize our future success depends on our ability to protect our natural resources, and we are committed to continuing to serve as an industry leader in sustainable practices.”
Here’s how the circularity project works. It starts at the airport, where Neste collects used cooking oil from over 200 concessionaires who prepare and serve food to customers.
Neste then converts the used cooking oil into renewable fuels, which will replace some fossil fuel usage in the global transport system. Finally, Avfuel will safely supply an 8,000-gallon load of SAF that reduces carbon emissions by 19 metric tons to bring everything full circle.
This reduction could significantly grow if more SAF is delivered to the airport’s fuel pool. Neste’s SAF reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 % compared to the original fossil fuel used for planes.
Neste, DFW, and Avfuel will continue to explore more opportunities in the future to bring even more SAF to the airport.
“Together we’re charting a bold, new flight path that shows airports how they can achieve their climate goals faster and ultimately enable flight operators. Businesses, and passengers to fly with a smaller carbon footprint,” said Neste VP of Renewable Aviation in North America Chris Cooper. “We’re able to do this because all the parts of the SAF value chain same together – the airport, the fuel supplier, and the producer. And, most importantly, all the partners involved are committed to creating a sustainable future for air travel and fighting climate change.”
