Minneapolis, MN and Detroit, MI — In a pioneering effort for Midwest aviation, Delta Air Lines successfully delivered sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via pipeline to its Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) hubs, representing the first instance of SAF deployment in Minnesota and Michigan’s aviation sectors. The 7,000-gallon shipments arrived as part of Delta’s collaboration with the Minnesota SAF Hub coalition and mark a promising model for regional SAF deployment.
The Minnesota SAF Hub, with support from partners like Cargill and Montana Renewables, brought together key players from agriculture, processing, and transportation to make SAF delivery feasible. Last fall, Cargill facilitated the planting of 2,000 acres of winter camelina across Minnesota and North Dakota. This oil-rich plant, with a notably low carbon intensity, was processed at Cargill’s West Fargo plant before being sent to Montana Renewables, LLC for refinement into SAF.
From there, Shell Aviation transported the refined SAF to MSP and DTW. In Minnesota, the SAF directly entered MSP’s fuel system, while in Michigan, it was pumped through a Buckeye Partners facility into DTW’s pipeline system.
“The arrival of SAF at MSP and DTW is monumental,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “It’s a testament to the collaborative effort needed across the entire SAF value chain to drive results.”
Delta’s achievement was bolstered by current U.S. policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Minnesota’s SAF credit, which offset costs and made the delivery viable. Delta is pushing for further policy support across key states, aiming to enhance SAF production and cost-competitiveness. With jet fuel accounting for around 90% of Delta’s carbon emissions, this regional partnership is a step toward its 2050 net-zero emissions goal.
While SAF has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel, the industry faces a production shortfall. As SAF gains traction in the Midwest, Delta’s efforts exemplify the significance of partnerships like the Minnesota SAF Hub. This coalition reached a new milestone in September 2024, launching Minnesota’s first SAF blending facility in partnership with Flint Hills Resources, capable of blending up to 30 million gallons annually by 2025.
In a move to maximize current SAF availability, Delta employs a “book and claim” model. This approach enables airlines to claim SAF usage at any location, despite physical distribution limitations, a tactic Delta used on commemorative flights this summer, reducing emissions without transporting fuel long distances.
“The SAF journey is complex, and no single entity can tackle decarbonization alone,” emphasized DeLuca. The Minnesota SAF Hub’s collaborative approach across the value chain serves as a blueprint, showing how locally-sourced SAF can be deployed nationwide.
“The SAF journey is complex, and no single entity can tackle decarbonization alone,” emphasized DeLuca.
As Delta and its partners continue scaling SAF initiatives, the Midwest could play an influential role in shaping the nation’s sustainable aviation landscape, enabling a greener future across American skies.
