Cathay Pacific continues to make progress towards achieving its goal of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for 10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030, by bringing SAF to its commercial flights for the first time out of its hub in Hong Kong.
Described and supplied by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, this SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) package was fueled at Singapore Changi Airport on four Cathay Pacific cargo flights to Hong Kong and Penang. This follows the use of blended sustainable aviation fuel lifted at Hong Kong International Airport on select flights last year, and on the delivery flights of its new Airbus A350 aircraft from Europe for the past six years.
SAF Sustainable Aviation Fuel is made from 100% cooking oil and meets EU standards for International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). On a life cycle basis, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 90% compared to conventional jet fuel[1], and provide a reduced solution of greenhouse gas emissions in commercial flights and air cargo transportation.
Cathay Pacific is committed to increasing the use of SAF on its flights. The airline launched the Cathay Pacific Corporate SAF Program in 2022, the first major program of its kind in Asia, with eight corporates as the launch customers. The program provides corporate customers with the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint from business travel or air freight by contributing to the use of SAF. Cathay Pacific plans to add more corporate customers to the program in 2023.
Cathay CEO Ronald Lam said: “This is an important milestone for Cathay Pacific and our ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As an international airline, we have a leading role in helping the aviation industry to decarbonize and we are constantly exploring solutions and supporting collaboration Extensive multi-stakeholder action to combat climate change. We firmly believe that sustainable aviation fuel will be the main lever through which the aviation industry will achieve net zero carbon emissions. By expanding the promotion of integrated SAF to select commercial flights at Changi Airport, as well as our home hub, we hope to strengthen awareness of SAF across the Asia Pacific region and send a strong signal to the supply chain that SAF is in strong demand from airlines.”
