United Airlines Launches $100 Million Sustainable Aviation Fuel

United Airlines announced today the launch of the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, aimed at investing in and supporting startups focused on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research, technology and production.

The fund is launching with over $100 million of investments from United, and inaugural partners including Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell. The company said that the fund is open to investment from corporates across industries to invest alongside it in SAF technology and production start-ups identified by United.

The new fund will prioritize investment in new technology, advanced fuel sources and proven producers, aimed at supporting the scaling of SAF supply.

Sustainable aviation fuel is seen as one of the key tools to help decarbonize the aviation industry, which currently accounts for 2-3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. SAF is generally produced from sustainable resources, like waste oils and agricultural residues. SAF producers estimate the fuels can result in lifecycle GHG emissions reductions of as much as 85% relative to conventional fuels.