Delta Air Lines Scales Back Sustainable Fuel, Net-Zero Targets

Delta Air Lines quietly removed two key environmental ‌targets from its sustainability webpage late last week, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

The Atlanta-based carrier deleted its pledge to use sustainable aviation fuel for 10% of its jet fuel ‌by 2030, the report said, adding that ​the airline has also rephrased its quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as ⁠an "aspiration," rather than a "goal."

SAF, made largely from waste ​or used cooking oil, can cut emissions significantly compared ⁠with traditional jet fuel. However, it remains two to five times more expensive than conventional fuel.

The Bloomberg report said, quoting a ‌Delta spokesperson, that the airline still views ​SAF as one ‌of the most important ways to decarbonise flight, but its slow ‌development threatens the industry's climate ambitions.

Delta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

In February, Willie ⁠Walsh, director-general of the International ‌Air Transport Association, ⁠said that shortages of efficient new aircraft and alternative fuels ⁠were ⁠pushing up profits for suppliers and putting at risk the industry's flagship emissions ‌goal.

IATA's roughly 350 airlines adopted the target in 2021 to curb emissions that represent 2% to 3% of ‌the ​global total. The effort ‌relies heavily on the use of SAF and timely access to new planes and engines, ​delayed by supply chain problems.