Editor's note: Delta outlined a roadmap to more sustainable travel on March 7, 2023 that details the airline's strategy for achieving net-zero emissions and more sustainable travel by 2050.

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Sustainability

A ‘business imperative’: Delta outlines roadmap to more sustainable travel

Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer Pam Fletcher outlines the company’s bold strategy for achieving net zero-emissions and more sustainable travel by 2050, including scaling the sustainable fuel market, innovating for the fleet of the future, addressing single-use plastics and encouraging net-zero supply chains. INTERACTIVE | Path to sustainability

Delta Air Lines, the first carbon neutral airline on a global basis, and Corporate Travel Management (CTM), an award-winning global travel management company, have signed a multi-year sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement. The three-year deal will reduce lifecycle emissions by 209 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by 256 acres of U.S. forests. This partnership is the first multi-year SAF commitment for Delta and builds on the growing list of travel management companies and corporate partners that share in Delta’s commitment to bolster the future of sustainable air travel.

In total, 300,000 gallons of SAF have been purchased in collaboration with Delta’s corporate partners. This means life cycle emissions from Delta operations will be reduced by 2,100 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 457 passenger vehicles from the roads for one year.

“These partnerships are a core driver for decreasing the aviation industry’s reliance on conventional jet fuel and encouraging the economic viability of SAF by building industry demand and supply,” said Delta’s Amelia DeLuca, Managing Director – Sustainability. “The collective impact we are making with our corporate partners delivers real change for the industry.”  

With a future vision of zero-impact aviation, Delta’s first step is to solve for its largest impact on the environment—carbon dioxide emissions. To do so, it is investing in the readily available resources that can make a difference today, like SAF, which has limited supply and a ticket price 3-5 times that of conventional jet fuel. It is why partnerships like the one with CTM are necessary.

“CTM is committed to developing and supporting initiatives that provide practical and sustainable benefits to businesses, the environment and local communities,” said Kevin O’Malley, Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Travel Management North America. “We are proud to take this next long-term step alongside Delta in supporting the lasting sustainability of our planet by reducing the impact of business travel on the environment.”

SAF is a critically important lever in Delta’s Flight to Net Zero^SM as it reduces the life cycle carbon emissions from aviation fuel. In its pure form, it can reduce life cycle carbon emissions up to 80 percent compared to petroleum-based jet fuel. The collaboration with BCD Travel, CWT, Deloitte, Nike, Takeda and now CTM underscore the significant positive environmental impact that can be achieved through collaboration.

About Delta Air Lines

Delta has a longstanding commitment to sustainable air travel and through its inaugural ESG report highlights its intention to be a catalyst for global change and its role in growing empathy, respect and care for the planet and the people within it. In 2020, it committed to be the first carbon-neutral airline globally. Delta was the No. 1 airline named among America’s Most Sustainable Companies by Barron’s in 2020. It was the only U.S. airline included in the 2021 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. It has received the Vision for America Award by Keep America Beautiful and Captain Planet Foundation's Superhero Corporate Award.

Delta has also earned a spot on the FTSE4Good Index for six consecutive years and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for ten straight years.   For more information, visit Delta.com/sustainability.

About CTM

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is an award-winning global provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions spanning corporate, events, leisure, loyalty and wholesale travel. The company’s proven business strategy is underpinned by personalized service excellence supported by market-leading technology solutions which deliver a return-on-investment to our customers. With its North America head office based in Omaha, Nebraska, and a global footprint spanning four continents, the company provides local service solutions to customers of all sizes across the world. For more information, visit us.travelctm.com.

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