United has agreed to purchase up to 15 million gallons of sustainable biofuel from AltAir Paramount over a three-year period.
LOS ANGELES – United Airlines made history by becoming the first U.S. airline to begin use of commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights with the departure of United Flight 708 from Los Angeles International Airport. The launch marks a significant milestone in the commercial aviation industry by moving beyond demonstration flights and test programs to the use of advanced biofuels for United’s ongoing operations.
United has agreed to purchase up to 15 million gallons of sustainable biofuel from AltAir Paramount over a three-year period. The airline has begun using the biofuel in its daily operations at LAX, storing and delivering it in the same way as traditional fuel. To highlight this achievement, United will operate flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco with the dedicated use of AltAir Paramount renewable fuel for two weeks, while also integrating this fuel into its regular operations at the airport.
“Today’s historic launch of regularly scheduled service utilizing advanced biofuels represents a major next step in our ongoing commitment to operate sustainably and responsibly,” said Angela Foster-Rice, United’s managing director of environmental affairs and sustainability. “United is a leader in the advancement of alternative fuels, and, along with our partners at AltAir Paramount, we are taking action every day to minimize our impact on the environment and explore new ways to improve efficiency.”
“Los Angeles is a global leader in sustainability, so it’s no wonder that the first U.S. flights to use commercial-scale, renewable jet fuel are taking off from our airport,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “LAX and United Airlines have broken new ground with fuel that reduces carbon emissions by as much as 60 percent when compared to standard jet fuel. Today, we set a new standard for sustainability in aviation – an example I hope the rest of the industry will follow in the coming years.”
AltAir Paramount’s Renewable Fuel Technology
United has collaborated with AltAir since 2009 with a common goal of bringing an ongoing source of sustainable aviation biofuels to an airport. AltAir retrofitted portions of the Paramount Petroleum Corporation – a subsidiary of Alon USA Energy – refinery in Paramount, California, to create a 35 million gallon per year advanced renewable fuel unit, bringing new clean energy jobs to the Los Angeles area.
The facility converts sustainably sourced non-edible, natural oils and agricultural wastes into jet fuel and is expected to provide a greater than 60 percent reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions when compared to fuel produced from traditional petroleum. AltAir’s fuel meets the same standard as traditional jet fuel, ASTM D1655. In addition, AltAir is pursuing certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) – a global sustainability standard and certification system that recognizes biomass and biofuel producers that adhere to stringent social responsibility and environmental criteria.
“AltAir Paramount and United are working together to lead the industry in the use of sustainable and homegrown biofuel,” said Bryan Sherbacow, AltAir’s president and chief operating officer. “Today’s launch demonstrates our commitment to helping United reduce its operational impact on the environment and advance the use of alternative fuels.”
United and Sustainable Aviation Biofuels
In 2009, United became the first U.S. carrier to perform a biofuel demonstration flight. In 2011, United became the first U.S. carrier to operate a commercial advanced biofuel flight. Last year, United announced an historic $30 million equity investment in U.S.-based alternative fuels developer Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a pioneer in the development and commercialization of converting municipal solid waste into low-cost sustainable aviation biofuel. The Fulcrum investment represents the single largest investment by a U.S. airline in alternative fuels and sets United apart in the aviation industry in the advancement of aviation biofuels.
United Airlines and Air New Zealand Expand Cooperation to Form Joint Venture Partnership
United Airlines and Air New Zealand also announced a joint venture revenue-sharing agreement, deepening the partnership between the two airlines, which are both members of Star Alliance. Under the new revenue-sharing agreement, the carriers will more closely coordinate sales and marketing in order to offer their mutual customers more travel options between the mainland U.S. and New Zealand, as well as to other destinations throughout the airlines’ route networks.
The arrangement will begin when United launches its nonstop service between San Francisco and Auckland on July 1, 2016, subject to government approval.
“This joint venture will allow us to work more closely with Air New Zealand to optimize our trans-Pacific schedules and offer more convenient flight choices to our customers in both the U.S. and New Zealand,” said Jim Compton, United’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “We look forward to continuing to work with Air New Zealand, an industry innovator and leader, to further grow our business in ways that will benefit our mutual customers.”
“Air New Zealand is delighted to be working even more closely with our long standing partner to further grow the potential of the U.S. market,” said Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer. “We know that New Zealand is a popular destination for American leisure travelers. By working more closely with such a strong home market carrier as United we look forward to welcoming even more American visitors to enjoy our unique Kiwi tourism experience.”
More Choice and Convenience
Air New Zealand currently operates nonstop service to five North American destinations from Auckland, including daily flights to San Francisco, twice-daily flights to Los Angeles, and five weekly flights to Houston.
With the start of United’s San Francisco-Auckland flights on July 1, the two carriers will operate complementary service on that route, with their respective nonstop flights timed to offer travelers more choice and convenience across the airlines’ combined networks.
Initially, United will operate the service three times weekly using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, transitioning to daily service in November 2016, with larger Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Since 2001, the United and Air New Zealand alliance has provided substantial benefits to the traveling public through codesharing, frequent flyer programs and distribution. The airlines currently codeshare on domestic routes in the U.S. and New Zealand, and on additional routes in North America, Central America, Australia and the Pacific Islands, as well as to London.
Loyalty Program Benefits
United and Air New Zealand currently have a frequent flyer loyalty agreement as members of Star Alliance. MileagePlus and AirpointsTM members will continue to have reciprocal benefits to earn and redeem on both airlines. As their partnership grows, the carriers will work to further enhance these offerings for loyalty program members.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
