By Jamie Martin
Delta Air Lines has taken a significant step toward greener aviation by launching its first flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from camelina, a cover crop cultivated by farmers in Minnesota and North Dakota.
The flight departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and headed to New York, marking a pivotal moment in Delta’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.
Delta has ambitious plans for MSP to become the first airport where all of its flights use SAF. This effort is supported by the Minnesota SAF Hub, a coalition focused on developing sustainable aviation practices and reducing air travel emissions.
Peter Frosch, president of Greater MSP, highlighted the impact of this first flight: “We are celebrating a major milestone in building a sustainable aviation fuel economy anchored in Minnesota.”
Farmers in Minnesota, in collaboration with Cargill, played a key role by growing 2,000 acres of camelina. Unlike food crops, camelina grows alongside other crops without competing for food production space.
The camelina seeds were processed into oil by Cargill in West Fargo and later refined into SAF for Delta’s flight. For this flight, SAF accounted for 32% of the total fuel blend.
Anne Schwagerl, vice president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, was one of the participating farmers who helped produce camelina. She spoke about the importance of agricultural involvement in sustainability: “I believe every farmer can contribute to this climate-smart future.”
Nicholas Jordan from the Forever Green Initiative highlights camelina’s additional environmental advantages, such as soil protection and wildlife support, extending the crop's impact beyond carbon reduction.
Delta’s flight represents a shift toward a more sustainable future, with farmers and airlines working together to address the climate challenge.
Photo Credit: vista-mipan
Categories: National