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Cathay Pacific partners with Sinopec for sustainable aviation fuel initiative

Cathay Pacific partners with Sinopec for sustainable aviation fuel initiative
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Alex McGowan Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer | Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has entered into an agreement with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to refuel some of its flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This SAF is produced and blended with conventional aviation fuel by Sinopec, marking a significant step in the global SAF supply chain's expansion.

In April, Cathay Pacific uplifted a batch of SAF produced by the Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company (ZRCC) at Hong Kong International Airport. ZRCC is recognized as one of Asia's leading manufacturers of SAF, having developed bio-jet fuel technology independently. The batch was converted from used cooking oil using the hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway. Certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), this SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

SAF is an alternative aviation fuel made from waste materials or other non-fossil carbon sources. It has shown potential to significantly lower lifecycle carbon emissions relative to fossil fuels, addressing environmental impacts associated with air transport. The agreement between Cathay Pacific and Sinopec highlights the potential for increased cooperation in the SAF supply chain between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

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Grace Cheung, Cathay General Manager Sustainability, stated: "Our purchase and use of SAF products from ZRCC goes beyond just a fuel uplift; it marks our initiative to expand the upstream and downstream value chain of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland. Through cooperation with Sinopec, we hope to support greater adoption of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels."

Previously, Cathay Pacific adopted two batches of SAF from Mainland China that were uplifted at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and London Heathrow Airport.

The production and adoption of SAF have gained momentum across Asia in recent years. In March 2025, Cathay Pacific reached an agreement with SK Energy for supplying SAF from 2025 to 2027 in South Korea. Concurrently, Cathay Pacific aims to support Hong Kong in scaling up its use of SAF through supportive policies to enhance Hong Kong International Airport's status as a leading international aviation hub.

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