SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — The aviation industry’s push toward net-zero emissions gains momentum with Neste’s latest agreement to provide 7,500 metric tons (2.5 million gallons) of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to Amazon Air cargo operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) through the end of 2025. This deal positions Amazon as a trailblazer, becoming the first company to deploy SAF at ONT, ranked among the top 10 cargo airports in the U.S. by the Federal Aviation Administration, underscoring the growing adoption of renewable fuels in high-traffic hubs.
Partnership Context and Impact
This collaboration builds on a four-year relationship that began with Neste delivering SAF to Amazon at Cologne Bonn Airport in 2021. Amazon’s ambitious net-zero commitment by 2040 hinges on decarbonizing its air cargo network, where SAF plays a pivotal role. The fuel, blended with conventional jet fuel up to 50%, reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% when used neat, leveraging 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials like used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Initial deliveries at SFO and ONT commenced earlier this year, marking a scalable model for SAF integration.
Supply Chain Innovations
Neste’s established SAF supply infrastructure in Northern California, initiated in 2020, enables direct pipeline delivery to SFO, optimizing efficiency. For ONT, Diesel Direct, Neste’s long-term logistics partner, transports SAF via trucks fueled by Neste’s renewable diesel, cutting emissions from transportation. This dual-mode supply chain demonstrates a holistic approach to reducing the carbon footprint across production, delivery, and use, setting a benchmark for other cargo operators.
Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Renewable Products at Neste, highlights the strategic value: “Our supply chain solution for these California gateways builds on our existing SAF supply capabilities on the West Coast and leverages our partnership with Diesel Direct to transport SAF by trucks running on renewable diesel.” This model not only ensures reliability but also showcases how renewable fuels can decarbonize multiple transport segments.
Operational and Environmental Benefits
The SAF supplied to Amazon Air, certified for commercial use, integrates seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure. Neste’s current global production capacity of 1.5 million tons (515 million gallons) annually, set to rise to 2.2 million tons (750 million gallons) by 2027, supports this expansion. For Amazon, this agreement reduces the carbon intensity of its SFO and ONT operations, aligning with its broader goal to offset emissions across its 2040 net-zero target. The use of neat SAF at these airports also provides data to refine future blending strategies and infrastructure investments.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the partnership is a step forward, challenges remain. Scaling SAF to meet Amazon’s growing cargo needs requires overcoming feedstock constraints and production costs, which remain 2–5 times higher than conventional jet fuel. However, the collaboration with Diesel Direct illustrates how integrated logistics can mitigate emissions, offering a replicable framework. Hanna Maula, Senior Vice President, Communications, Marketing, Sustainability and Public Affairs at Neste, notes the broader implication: “This milestone sends a positive signal that SAF is available to airlines and cargo operators, encouraging wider adoption.”
Strategic Implications for Aviation
This agreement signals a shift toward localized SAF hubs, with California’s airports serving as testbeds for scalable renewable fuel networks. For cargo operators, it provides a blueprint to balance cost, emissions, and operational continuity. Policymakers can leverage this model to incentivize SAF deployment at other U.S. cargo hubs, potentially accelerating the industry’s path to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 5% SAF target by 2030. The partnership also underscores the importance of private-sector leadership in driving infrastructure upgrades and feedstock innovation.
“Our supply chain solution for these California gateways builds on our existing SAF supply capabilities on the West Coast and leverages our partnership with Diesel Direct to transport SAF by trucks running on renewable diesel.” — Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Renewable Products at Neste
Next Steps
Stakeholders can monitor Neste’s production ramp-up to 2.2 million tons by 2027 and Amazon’s expansion of SAF use beyond California. Engaging with supply chain partners like Diesel Direct could further optimize emissions reductions. For SAF experts, this case study offers insights into integrating neat SAF into high-volume cargo operations, informing future investments in pipeline and trucking networks.
Source
- Neste Corporation, “Neste Reaches Agreement with Amazon to Provide Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Amazon Air Cargo Operations,” Press Release, June 2025, neste.com.
- Federal Aviation Administration, Cargo Airport Rankings, faa.gov, accessed June 20, 2025.
