Cathay expands sustainable aviation fuel program with new global partnerships

Policy

Rebecca Sharpe Chief Financial Officer | Cathay Pacific

By Sky Industry News

Nov 4, 2024

Cathay has reported significant progress in its sustainability efforts, achieving new milestones with its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme since its launch in 2022. The programme has seen substantial growth this year, becoming one of the largest initiatives of its kind globally. This expansion is marked by new global partnerships and a record commitment to SAF usage.

The Corporate SAF Programme now features a tiered structure, allowing customers to participate based on their SAF demand and business needs. Cathay has welcomed DB Schenker as the biggest contributor to date, along with Kuehne+Nagel as Diamond partners, EQT as a Gold partner, and Julius Baer and Lenton Group as Silver partners. This brings the total number of partners to 15 this year. Multi-year commitments from these partners highlight their view of SAF as a long-term solution for decarbonisation, supporting Cathay’s 2030 SAF target.

Cathay acknowledges the ongoing commitment from longstanding partners such as Airport Authority Hong Kong, AIA, Dimerco Express Group, Kintetsu World Express, Standard Chartered Bank, Swire Pacific, Yusen Logistics, and the Business Environment Council. These diverse partnerships demonstrate a strong commitment to reducing climate impact across various sectors through business travel and airfreight services.

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In 2024 alone, programme partners have committed to using 2,650 tonnes of SAF (equivalent to 906,000 US gallons), which corresponds to an approximate reduction of 8,060 tonnes of carbon emissions—three times last year's reduction.

Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer stated: “Our Corporate SAF Programme has now entered into its third year and keeps expanding. The programme is a key pillar in Cathay’s overall approach to leading the aviation industry’s decarbonisation. With growing support from our corporate travel and cargo customers, Cathay continues to increase SAF usage across our network worldwide. In doing so, our customers are able to help reduce emissions from their air travel and airfreight.”

SAF remains essential for decarbonising airline operations until alternatively powered aircraft become widely available for commercial use. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF can potentially reduce over 80% of carbon emissions on a lifecycle basis depending on technology and feedstock used.

Cathay Pacific was among the first airlines globally to set a target for using 10% SAF by 2030 for its total fuel consumption. Since then, it has successfully conducted SAF uplifts at Hong Kong International Airport and other international airports.

Beyond increasing SAF adoption levels further upscaling is supported by fleet modernisation operational efficiency improvements emerging technology breakthroughs high-quality carbon offsets removals all contributing towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Additional information about Cathay's Corporate SAF Programme can be found here.

Cathay Director Customer Travel Erica Peng (front row third from right), Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen (front row fifth from right), Cathay General Manager Group Sustainability Grace Cheung (front row fourth from right) alongside Corporate SAF Programme partners celebrate shared commitment in advancing sustainable aviation fuel usage.