United Airlines recently launched the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund SM, designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by funding research, production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It is manufactured using cooking oil and agricultural waste and must be blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements.
The fund is open to investment by corporations. It launches with more than $100 million in investments from United and its inaugural partners Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, and JPMorgan Chase.
The fund will prioritize investment in new technologies, advanced fuel sources, and proven producers.
“Solving climate change is doable, but it requires hard work and real leadership,” United CEO Scott Kirby said. “This fund is unique. It’s not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we’re creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch. That’s the only way we can actually decarbonize aviation.”
United has invested in or signed purchase agreements with companies using various ingredients and technologies to produce SAF.
United has hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.