United Airlines
United Airlines holds more than 50% of global publicly announced purchase commitments to using sustainable aviation fuels. Credit: United Airlines, Inc.

United Airlines has invested $40m to expedite the development of sustainable aviation fuels and other decarbonisation technologies.

Earlier this year, the carrier agreed to buy up to ten million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel over the next two years. It is also planning to collaborate with other partners on this initiative.

The airline also holds more than 50% of the global publicly announced purchase commitments to leverage sustainable aviation fuels.

United Airlines president Scott Kirby said: “United has been an industry leader in environmental sustainability, including being the first US carrier to announce a bold pledge to cut our carbon footprint in half by 2050 relative to 2005.

“However, to achieve this goal, we can’t be content as a leading airline undergoing an evolution to adapt to climate change. We aspire to be the airline leading the revolution to fight climate change, and this new initiative will further empower us to reduce our impact on the environment and fly towards a more sustainable future.”

The company’s latest investment toward a new investment vehicle focused on accelerating the development of aviation fuels, along with its pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, is aimed at reducing its impact on the environment.

United Airlines is the first to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel in regular operations on a continuous basis.

It has invested more than $30m in sustainable aviation fuels producer Fulcrum BioEnergy.

It also banned non-recyclable plastic stirring sticks and cocktail picks inside the aircraft and replaced them with bamboo products, which are 100% environmentally friendly.