Delta’s first carbon neutral flight powered by Air BP-supplied biofuel

US airline Delta has flown its first carbon-neutral delivery flight, using biofuels and carbon offsets, as the airline continues towards its goal of a 50% carbon emission reduction by 2050.

Delta has teamed up with biofuel supplier Air BP for the provision of biofuels for an initial 20 delivery flights from the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, US.

The Airbus aircraft are manufactured and refined using sustainable sources and processes, the airline added.

“Today’s carbon-neutral delivery flight is a milestone on Delta’s sustainability journey as we work to cut carbon emissions in half by 2050,” said Alison Lathrop, Delta’s managing director – global environment, sustainability and compliance. “We are excited to partner with Air BP and Airbus to power these delivery flights with biofuels and carbon offsets, and will explore opportunities to bring this level of sustainability to all delivery flights going forward.”

Delta has reduced its consumption of traditional jet fuel since 2005, resulting in an 11% decrease in emissions.

The airline was the first and only US airline to voluntarily cap carbon emissions at 2012 levels by purchasing carbon offsets ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s CORSIA implementation, which caps international emissions from aviation at 2019/2020 levels.

“Airbus is committed to being part of the solution for meeting aviation’s global CO₂ emissions reduction targets,” added Simone Rauer, head of aircraft operations for environmental affairs at Airbus. “Contributing to a lasting decrease of our industry’s carbon footprint is key to ensuring a sustainable future for aviation.”

“We are proud to help Delta achieve its sustainability goals for the maiden voyages of their new Airbus aircraft,” said Jon Platt, CEO of Air BP. “Air BP is supplying sustainable aviation fuel, produced by Neste, for 20 delivery flights, and through the BP Target Neutral program we are offsetting the residual carbon emissions of each delivery flight. This is another example of BP’s commitment to advancing the energy transition and helping our customers meet their lower carbon goals. We hope this project inspires others to follow suit.”