Delta Air Lines has marked the completion of a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility, strengthening the infrastructure needed to increase SAF availability at St. Paul International Airport (MSP), US.
The new facility enables SAF to be blended locally with conventional jet fuel before being transported through existing pipeline infrastructure directly to MSP. Delta consumes around 250 million gallons of jet fuel annually at the airport, making the project a significant step toward integrating larger volumes of lower-carbon aviation fuel into its operations.
Designed to blend up to 30 million gallons of neat SAF each year, the facility is expected to play a key role in expanding SAF adoption in the region. By leveraging existing fuel distribution networks, the project simplifies the delivery of blended SAF to the airport while supporting the development of a more reliable supply chain.
SAF, produced from renewable feedstocks, can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared with conventional jet fuel while remaining fully compatible with today’s aircraft engines and airport fuelling infrastructure. However, limited global production remains one of the biggest challenges to wider industry adoption, making investments in production capacity, logistics, and blending infrastructure increasingly important.
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The blending facility was first announced in September 2024 as part of the Minnesota SAF Hub initiative, a collaborative effort launched in 2023 to accelerate the development of a regional sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem. The project represents one of the initiative’s major infrastructure milestones aimed at supporting increased SAF production, distribution and use.
The facility also aligns with Delta’s broader sustainable aviation strategy. Earlier this year, the airline announced a five-year collaboration with Shell Aviation to expand SAF availability across key U.S. hubs and priority cities through 2030, including Minneapolis–St. Paul.
With approximately 90% of its carbon emissions originating from jet fuel consumption, Delta continues to view sustainable aviation fuel as a critical component of its long-term decarbonization strategy. The airline has set a target of sourcing 10% of its jet fuel from SAF by 2030 as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The completion of the Minnesota blending facility adds important fuel infrastructure to support the gradual scaling of SAF use, helping to address one of the aviation industry’s key challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining existing aircraft and airport operations.
