DHL Express announces an SAF deal with Phillips 66 to secure more than 240,000 metric tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel over three years, marking a major shift in long-term fuel sourcing for its U.S. air network.
The agreement positions DHL to integrate large-scale SAF volumes directly into its U.S. aviation operations, with the arrangement expected to cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 737,000 metric tons compared with conventional jet fuel. The SAF deal between DHL and Phillips 66 represents one of the largest SAF supply commitments made by a U.S. producer to the air cargo sector, strengthening commercial access to low-carbon aviation fuels across critical West Coast hubs.
Under the multi-year supply arrangement, Phillips 66 will deliver more than 240,000 metric tonnes (around 83 million gallons) of SAF, enabling DHL to embed lower-carbon fuels into regular flight operations. A substantial share of the volumes will be allocated to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), DHL’s core West Coast gateway, with additional deliveries planned for other regional airports where the company operates, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The SAF will be produced at the Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex in California. The facility, one of the world’s largest renewable fuel production sites, is capable of generating up to 150 million gallons per year of neat SAF. DHL will apply a book-and-claim model to account for the emissions reductions associated with the fuel, enabling the organisation to manage its carbon footprint across a wide range of air cargo routes.
The SAF deal between DHL and Phillips 66 also expands DHL’s ability to scale low-carbon services through its GoGreen Plus programme, which uses SAF to help customers reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions within their supply chains.
Travis Cobb, EVP Global Operations and Aviation at DHL Express, said: “This agreement with Phillips 66 is a significant milestone for DHL Express as we work towards our sustainability goals. By securing a reliable supply of SAF, we are not only reducing our carbon emissions – and those within our customers’ supply chains – but also setting a precedent for the logistics and air cargo industries in the U.S. Our collaboration with Phillips 66 underscores our commitment to a lower-carbon future and demonstrates the importance of sustainable practices in our operations.”
Brian Mandell, EVP Marketing and Commercial at Phillips 66, stated: “This agreement between Phillips 66 and DHL demonstrates our shared commitment to SAF market leadership and credible action in the growing SAF industry. Through our global renewable fuel business, we are committed to supporting DHL and our customers in achieving their decarbonization goals. Our agreement with DHL showcases cross-industry collaboration, and together, we aim to drive progress toward sustainable solutions in the aviation sector.”
DHL Express has been steadily shaping its SAF supply approach since 2021, striking deals in Europe, America and Asia Pacific to widen its access to renewable fuels. The latest agreement fits into that broader plan, supporting the company’s aim to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and helping push wider industry use of SAF.
The partnership with Phillips 66 is also expected to meet DHL’s near-term decarbonisation needs while creating a pathway for additional SAF supply projects across its global air network.
