United Airlines, Tallgrass and Green Plains Inc. have formed a new joint venture — Blue Blade Energy — focused on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The partners will develop and then commercialize a novel SAF technology that uses ethanol as its feedstock. If the technology is successful, Blue Blade is expected to proceed with the construction of a pilot facility in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that could begin commercial operations by 2028.
The offtake agreement could provide for enough SAF to fly more than 50,000 flights annually between United's hub airports in Chicago and Denver.
“The production and use of SAF is the most effective and scalable tool the airline industry has to reduce carbon emissions and United continues to lead the way,” said Michael Leskinen, ventures president at United Airlines. “This new joint venture includes two expert collaborators that have the experience to construct and operate large-scale infrastructure, as wel