At forum, Delta CEO talks sustainability and ending oil purchases from Russia

Ed Bastian
Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian says the incoming Trump administration will be a “breath of fresh air” for airlines after what he called government “overreach” under President Joe Biden. (Emil Moffatt/WABE)

The CEO of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines says a major government investment is needed to develop aviation fuels that are better for the environment.

“The good news is that we’ve already seen this in our country, we saw it with autos,” Ed Bastian said. “And you look at the boom of EVs now. The reason why, is because the government provided the incentives and the subsidies and still to this day do that.”

Speaking Wednesday at a forum hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, Bastian says airlines can also do their part now by investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft. He says Delta accelerated efforts to replace its fleet during the pandemic.