United Airlines bets on direct air capture to help decarbonize aviation

The venture arm of United Airlines has invested in a leading carbon dioxide removal (CDR) startup in a deal that will give the carrier new decarbonization and revenue options. The agreement between United Airlines Ventures (UAV) and Heirloom is notable for its size: it includes an undisclosed investment in the startup and the option to buy 500,000 tons of carbon removal, which if exercised would be a significant purchase for the nascent removals sector. The deal’s structure is also innovative. Like other agreements in this space, UAV can sequester the carbon dioxide to offset emissions — or use the CO2 as feedstock for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “This is the first time we’ve done a deal that provides for either CDRs or sustainable aviation fuel production,” said Max Scholten, Heirloom’s head of commercialization. “It gives them the opportunity to meet their climate goals in a way that’s flexible.” Story has more.<br/>