United Airlines CEO Calls for Federal Support to Scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Why Solar Subsidies Worked and SAF Needs the Same Push

Scott Kirby, chief executive of United Airlines, urged the U. S. government to treat sustainable aviation fuel like solar energy by providing direct funding to overcome supply chain barriers. Speaking in September 2026, Kirby emphasized that current production levels remain too low to meaningfully reduce airline emissions without public intervention. He argued that without federal investment, the industry cannot achieve its climate goals on schedule.

Kirby pointed to the Inflation Reduction Act’s success in accelerating solar deployment as a model for how targeted subsidies could jumpstart SAF production. He noted that United has already committed to purchasing billions of gallons of SAF over the next decade but lacks sufficient supply to meet those contracts. The CEO stressed that scaling SAF requires not just demand signals but also capital for new refineries and feedstock development. Without such support, he warned, airlines will remain dependent on conventional jet fuel far longer than necessary.

How Will Airlines Afford the Transition Without Help?

Kirby drew a direct parallel between the federal tax credits that drove down solar costs and what is needed for sustainable aviation fuel. He explained that early solar projects struggled with high costs and limited manufacturing capacity until government incentives created market certainty. Similarly, SAF producers face high upfront costs and uncertain demand, deterring private investment. Kirby argued that loan guarantees, production tax credits, and grant programs could de-risk early projects and attract the capital needed to build refineries. He cited United’s own investments in startups like Fulcrum BioEnergy as proof that private capital will follow public leadership.

Kirby acknowledged that airlines cannot absorb the full cost difference between SAF and conventional fuel, which remains two to three times more expensive. He warned that passing those costs to consumers through higher ticket prices would slow adoption and hurt accessibility. Instead, he proposed a shared model where federal support bridges the gap until economies of scale lower prices. Kirby added that without such measures, the aviation industry risks falling short of its net-zero by 2050 pledge, undermining global climate efforts. He concluded that timely federal action could position the U. S. as a leader in clean aviation technology.

What is sustainable aviation fuel and why is it important? Sustainable aviation fuel is a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel made from renewable sources like waste oils and agricultural residues. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil fuel, making it a key tool for decarbonizing air travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does United Airlines believe the government should fund SAF like solar? United’s CEO argues that federal incentives successfully lowered solar costs and spurred deployment, and similar support is needed to overcome high production costs and supply chain delays for SAF. Without such help, scaling the fuel quickly enough to meet climate targets will be difficult.

What would happen if the U. S. does not invest in SAF production? Kirby warned that without government support, airlines will continue relying on conventional jet fuel, delaying emissions reductions and jeopardizing the industry’s net-zero commitments. This could also put the U. S. behind other nations investing in clean aviation fuels.