On October 30, 2024, California officials and Airlines for America announced a significant agreement aimed at increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within the state. The California Air Resources Board and the industry trade group, which includes major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, have set a target to raise the availability of SAF to 200 million gallons by 2035. This initiative aims to satisfy approximately 40% of the intrastate travel demand, marking a tenfold increase from current consumption levels.
The agreement emphasizes the importance of making SAF, a low-carbon fuel derived from renewable biomass or waste, competitively priced against traditional petroleum-based jet fuel. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the collaboration as a significant advancement in efforts to reduce emissions. Airlines for America highlighted this partnership as a model for effective cooperation between government and the private sector to meet ambitious climate objectives.