Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has announced a pioneering partnership with Avina Synthetic Aviation Fuel (Avina) to develop the first on-airport sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in the United States, utilising one of the earliest alcohol-to-jet fuel technologies.
The cutting-edge facility will be constructed on airport grounds, just south of PIT's terminal, and will employ KBR's innovative PureSAF℠ alcohol-to-jet technology. This process was originally developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and is globally licensed by KBR. Once operational, the facility is expected to revolutionise infrastructure and economic development across the Pittsburgh region, offering airline partners a reliable and cost-effective SAF supply to help meet their stringent decarbonisation goals.
The project will be completed in multiple phases and is anticipated to produce over 100 million gallons of SAF annually. This output will support the needs of both commercial and cargo operations at PIT and throughout the region. Importantly, the facility's fuel will have a carbon intensity at least 65% lower than conventional jet fuel, representing a significant environmental benefit.
Beyond its environmental impact, the initiative promises to generate hundreds of full-time jobs upon construction, reinforcing its importance as an economic catalyst for the local community. The development reflects PIT's ongoing commitment to sustainability and energy innovation in the aviation sector.
“In pursuit of responsible and resilient growth in aerospace, Boeing supports the development of advanced, synthetic fuels here in the U.S. to power air travel into the future,” stated Mike Caston, Director, Americas Partnerships and Policy at Boeing.
Leaders from KBR, Pittsburgh International Airport, and Avina have expressed optimism about the global significance and transformative potential of the project.
