oneworld, Member Airlines and Breakthrough Energy Ventures Launch SAF Fund
- Joe Breitfeller
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
American Airlines has today announced that the oneworld alliance, member airlines and Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) have launched a new investment fund to advance and commercialize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
On Wednesday (September 17, 2025), American Airlines announced that oneworld and member airlines, in partnership with Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), have launched a new investment fund aimed at addressing the limited availability and high-cost of SAF today. Led by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, with support from fellow oneworld members IAG, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines the initial fund close will total $150 million.
In Wednesday’s announcement, American Airlines CEO, and oneworld Chairman, Robert Isom, said,
“By investing in the SAF technologies of the future, American and our oneworld partners are making a business decision to accelerate the development of novel technologies with the potential to reach larger scale at lower prices than current technologies can achieve. We believe reducing the emissions from our operation meets the demands of our customers, will make our business more competitive, and will enable us to continue to deliver the enormous economic benefits of commercial aviation for generations to come.”
Also commentating on the launch of the new SAF fund, Alaska Air Group’s CEO, Ben Minicucci, said,
“Alaska Airlines is excited to work alongside oneworld carriers to invest in innovative and cost-competitive SAF technology to drive the long-term energy transformation for our industry. In Breakthrough Energy Ventures, we have a partner with the scientific, technical and commercial expertise to make effective investment decisions that will create the market for next-generation fuels and power our industry in the years ahead.”
oneworld’s CEO, Nat Pieper, added,
“Investing in SAF with Breakthrough Energy Ventures is part of oneworld’s strategy to create a future of aviation that solves problems at scale and serves the needs of the greater aviation community. At oneworld, our member airlines are united in their long-term mission to address carbon emissions and invest in technologies that can improve speed to market of innovative fuels across the globe. By working together, we’ll be better positioned to create long-term solutions for the energy transformation of an industry that is vital to global economic growth.”
The new oneworld® BEV Fund will invest in novel, next-generation SAF technologies, while supporting the growth of alternative fuel markets to meet the long-term needs of the global aviation industry. Additionally, the fund aims to create economic value for investors and regions around the world, drive technological innovation, and develop a diverse and resilient SAF supply chain to meet future demand. BEV, Breakthrough Energy Venture’s capital fund founded by Bill Gates, will serve as the fund’s investment manager.
Currently, the global aviation industry accounts for approximately 2-3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, in addition to other environmental impacts. Airlines and aircraft manufacturers continue to invest in modern airplanes, engines and operational efficiencies. On a lifecycle basis, SAF can reduce emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. To date, the SAF industry has not yet attracted the investment required to scale production at competitive prices in line with market needs. oneworld and their airline partners are focused on supporting new technologies that can scale the availability of cost-competitive SAF, while minimizing other environmental impacts.
Source(s): American Airlines, oneworld
