JetBlue has signed a long-term agreement to purchase 33 million gallons of blended biofuel annually for the next 10 years from bioenergy company SG Preston.
The airline describes the deal as a significant milestone for the aviation industry and a clear step toward reducing its carbon footprint.
“The future of aviation relies in part on renewable energy sources. We’re taking a leadership role in technology and other advancements including renewable jet fuels,” said Robin Hayes, CEO, in a company statement.
JetBlue is testing multiple types of biofuels and emphasizes that the fuels under consideration do not compete with food production. While some biofuels can be produced from crops such as corn, the blended fuel JetBlue will use consists of 30 percent renewable fuel mixed with 70 percent conventional jet fuel.
The airline plans to deploy the blended biofuel at New York-area airports. Under the agreement, roughly 20 percent of JetBlue’s annual fuel consumption at John F. Kennedy International Airport will come from the blended biofuel. JFK remains JetBlue’s busiest hub in terms of flights served.
By committing to a stable, long-term supply of blended biofuel, JetBlue aims to support the development of the sustainable aviation fuel market and encourage further investment in renewable energy technologies for air travel. This purchase helps create predictable demand, which can lower costs and accelerate production-scale deployment of non-food-based biofuels.
JetBlue’s approach pairs renewable fuels with ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and modernize its fleet, reflecting a broader industry trend toward combining multiple strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. Using a blend rather than 100 percent biofuel allows the airline to integrate renewable fuels into current operations without major infrastructure changes.
The agreement with SG Preston is intended to demonstrate how airlines and suppliers can collaborate on predictable supply arrangements, giving fuel producers the confidence to invest in facilities and technologies needed to scale up renewable jet fuel production. For passengers and policymakers, such deals signal tangible progress toward cleaner air travel while maintaining safety and performance standards.
JetBlue’s commitment to renewable jet fuel at JFK also supports regional sustainability initiatives by targeting one of the airline’s key operational centers. As sustainable aviation fuel technologies continue to mature, long-term offtake agreements like this one are expected to play a central role in expanding availability and driving down costs, helping the industry move toward meaningful emissions reductions.