Neste and United Airlines extended agreements for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply in the US and the Netherlands

Neste Corporation, Press Release, 16 September 2026 at 2 p.m. (EET)

Photo: courtesy of United Airlines
Neste and United Airlines extended their existing agreement on the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with conventional jet fuel to flights departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport in the United States and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. The extension of the agreement reinforces the long-term, strategic collaboration between Neste and United, highlighting a shared ambition of contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from aviation through the deployment of SAF*.
Based on the extended contract, Neste’s SAF deliveries to United at Amsterdam began in June 2026 and continued through August 2026. Deliveries of SAF to Chicago O’Hare from this contract started in July 2026 and are planned to continue until June 2027. According to the agreement, Neste will supply Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ blended with conventional jet fuel to United Airlines.
"United was the first airline in the world to fly on blended SAF in regular operations, and we've spent the years since proving it can work at scale in day-to-day flying – including being the first airline to purchase and use blended SAF at Chicago O'Hare. Continuing our work with Neste across two continents reflects a shared conviction that SAF is available and capable of being scalable," said Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Airlines.
In 2025, United used over 83,000 metric tons (roughly 27.7 million gallons) of SAF, a 104% increase over the prior year, making it the largest SAF user among major U.S. airlines that year, based on publicly available reports, and expanded its SAF use to three additional hub airports in Newark, Washington D.C. and Houston, bringing the airlines’ SAF usage to six out of its seven domestic hubs. At Chicago O’Hare specifically, United was the first airline to purchase and use blended SAF in August 2024. O’Hare is United’s largest hub by daily departures and among the airline’s most important global gateways, making it a key location for scaling the use of blended SAF in day-to-day operations.
In Amsterdam, United has been using Neste MY SAF at Schiphol Airport since 2022. United was the first airline globally to use SAF in ongoing operations. Leveraging SAF and other measures to reduce GHG emissions, United is committed to reaching its net-zero emissions by 2050 goal.
"This extended agreement with United Airlines covering two international airports across two major aviation regions is a testament to our joint belief in the critical role of SAF in reducing aviation related GHG emissions*. By continuing to make SAF available at two of United’s key hubs, we are proving that SAF is a readily available, scalable solution, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding collaboration," says Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Renewable Products business at Neste.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel available today that can help reduce aviation related GHG emissions*. Neste’s SAF is made from renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is certified for commercial use after blending up to 50% with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure.
Today, Neste’s global SAF production capability is 1.5 million metric tons (around 515 million gallons) per annum, and it is set to grow to 2.2 million metric tons (around 750 million gallons) in 2027, when the expansion of Neste’s Rotterdam refinery is completed.
_{*) Neat, i.e. unblended, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel fulfills the mandatory sustainability criteria, including greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements over its life cycle compared to fossil fuel in accordance with e.g. ReFuelEU, CORSIA or RFS. While SAF and fossil jet fuel release similar amounts of CO2 during flight, SAF’s life cycle climate impact is smaller than fossil jet fuel’s. SAF can currently be blended up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.}
Neste Corporation
Communications
Further information: Please contact Neste's media service, tel. +358 800 94025 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET). Please subscribe to Neste’s releases at https://www.neste.com/media/subscribe.
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) is the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with production on three continents. Neste’s strategy focuses on growth in renewable fuels. The company’s renewables production capacity is expected to reach 6.8 million tons annually in 2027. Neste also produces high-quality oil products at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The company has a network of nearly 1,000 fuel stations with expanding service offering, such as EV charging, in Finland and in the Baltics. Neste is included in many international indices for its sustainability performance. In 2025, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 19.0 billion. Read more: neste.com
About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

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