Southwest Air Sells Renewable Unit in Move From Carbon Goals (1)

Southwest Airlines Co. sold a renewable fuels unit to Conestoga Energy as the carrier scales back its climate-focused initiatives following years of little progress by the industry.

Conestoga, a leading provider of low-carbon intensity biofuel, announced its purchase of Saffire Renewables LLC from Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures for an undisclosed price on Thursday. The acquisition includes all intellectual property and related technologies, key leadership team members, and a proposed pilot facility in Kansas to produce sustainable aviation fuel, known as SAF.

The sale is part of Southwest’s broader pullback from sustainability initiatives, which began earlier this year. That included laying ...