DHL Express and the Cathay Group have struck a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement aimed at reinforcing a shared commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the air cargo sector.
Under the agreement, Cathay is to supply DHL Express with 2,400 metric tonnes of SAF for international flights departing from Seoul Incheon International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.
These flights are operated by Air Hong Kong, a subsidiary of the Cathay Group, which largely operates express cargo services for DHL Express.
“Sustainable aviation fuel currently accounts for less than 1% of the total global jet fuel consumption, yet air transport is one of our biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions,” said DHL Express senior vice president for network operations and aviation Peter Bardens.
“Our decision to expand our SAF usage in Asia with Cathay is another important step that we have taken to drive momentum in SAF production and demand.
“DHL Express is at the forefront of SAF adoption and we look forward to seeing more partners and customers join us on this journey to build a more robust SAF ecosystem in Asia.
(L to R): Samuel Lee, General Manager for Central Asia Hub, DHL Express; Wai Kheong Loh, Vice President of Commercial - Hong Kong & Macau, DHL Express; Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express; Tom Owen, Director Cargo, Cathay Group; Clarence Tai, Chief Operating Officer, Air Hong Kong; Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability, Cathay Group
This SAF deal is said to build on the long-standing partnership between DHL Express and the Cathay Group, including via Air Hong Kong.
Cathay director cargo Tom Owen said the partnership marked the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights, “a key milestone for Cathay as we continue to expand the SAF usage across our global network”.
“Sustainable aviation fuel remains a core pillar of our strategy to address our carbon emissions, and collaboration is essential to scaling its use,” Mr Owen said.
“We are excited to be working with like-minded partners like DHL Express to make SAF more accessible and scalable, particularly in Asia.”
This collaboration is said to make DHL Express the latest strategic partner of Cathay's Corporate SAF Program, an initiative launched three years ago to support corporate partners in addressing greenhouse gas emissions from business travel and air freight.