Delta Air Lines said on September 30, 2026 that it had joined partners across Georgia to launch the Georgia Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition, a statewide effort established by the Metro Atlanta Chamber with Delta, the Georgia Forestry Association and the Georgia Farm Bureau as founding members. The airline said the group aims to advance SAF production and drive economic investment across the state.
What was announced
According to Delta, the coalition was unveiled at an event at the Delta Flight Museum where elected officials, industry leaders and coalition partners gathered to highlight what the airline described as Georgia's opportunity to become a leader in sustainable aviation fuel production.
Speakers included Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick and Delta President Peter Carter, the company said.
Delta described SAF as an alternative jet fuel made from renewable feedstocks that can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
Stated priorities
The airline said coalition priorities include strengthening public-private partnerships, supporting research and commercialization, attracting investment, advancing policies that support industry growth and connecting Georgia's existing strengths to emerging opportunities.
Delta said the effort builds on momentum created by this year's Keep Georgia Forested Act, legislation it described as encouraging investment in forestry manufacturing and creating new opportunities to convert Georgia-grown agricultural and forestry feedstocks into products such as sustainable aviation fuel.
Delta did not state production targets, volumes, funding amounts or a timeline for SAF output in its announcement.
What Delta says
"Georgia is well positioned to become a national leader in SAF," said Peter Carter, President of Delta Air Lines. "The Georgia SAF Coalition unites organizations committed to advancing that opportunity. Together, we can power the growth of a SAF industry that strengthens Georgia's economy, supports innovation and creates lasting benefits for communities across the state."
The company said Georgia is home to Delta's global headquarters and the world's busiest airport, and pointed to what it called the nation's largest forestry resource base, strong agricultural production, leading research institutions and a robust logistics network as the basis for building a SAF ecosystem in the state.
Delta also said SAF is widely viewed as one of the most promising tools available today to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions from air travel. The claims in the announcement are the company's own.
Key facts and where they come from
- Delta said it joined partners to launch the Georgia Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition.
Delta Air Lines joined partners across Georgia to launch the Georgia Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition
- The coalition was established by the Metro Atlanta Chamber with Delta, the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Farm Bureau as founding members.
a new statewide effort established by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and founding members Delta, the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Farm Bureau
- Delta describes SAF as made from renewable feedstocks with significantly lower lifecycle carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel.
SAF is an alternative jet fuel made from renewable feedstocks that can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
- The launch event was held at the Delta Flight Museum with state officials and industry leaders.
During an event at the Delta Flight Museum, elected officials, industry leaders and coalition partners gathered
- The coalition builds on the Keep Georgia Forested Act passed this year, according to Delta.
The coalition builds on momentum created by this year's Keep Georgia Forested Act, legislation that encourages investment in forestry manufacturing
- Stated priorities include partnerships, research and commercialization, investment and policy.
Priorities include strengthening public-private partnerships, supporting research and commercialization, attracting investment, advancing policies that support industry growth