Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is set to become home to the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility located on airport property in the United States, following a groundbreaking partnership with Avina Synthetic Aviation Fuel (Avina). The project will leverage one of the industry’s earliest alcohol-to-jet fuel technologies.
The facility, to be built just south of PIT’s main terminal, will use PureSAF℠ technology—a cutting-edge alcohol-to-jet process developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and licensed globally by KBR. The initiative aims to provide a steady, cost-effective supply of SAF to airlines operating at PIT, aligning with the aviation industry’s broader efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Designed to roll out in phases, the facility is expected to eventually produce over 100 million gallons of SAF per year. This volume will meet the fuel demands of both commercial and cargo flights at PIT and across the wider region. The SAF produced will offer a carbon intensity reduction of at least 65% compared to traditional jet fuel, marking a substantial environmental improvement.
In addition to its sustainability goals, the project is poised to deliver strong economic benefits for the Pittsburgh area. It is projected to create hundreds of full-time jobs during its construction and operation phases, underscoring PIT’s role as a driver of innovation and development in aviation.
“This kind of forward-thinking approach is essential for sustainable growth in aerospace,” said Mike Caston, Director of Americas Partnerships and Policy at Boeing. “Boeing is proud to support the expansion of advanced synthetic fuels in the U.S. as a step toward the future of air travel.”
Executives from KBR, Avina, and PIT have shared their enthusiasm, highlighting the facility’s potential to serve as a global model for sustainable aviation infrastructure and regional economic transformation.
