DHL Express and Cathay Group Launch SAF Partnership to Cut Carbon in Air Cargo

DHL Express and the Cathay Group have announced a new partnership to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Asia, reinforcing both companies’ push to decarbonize air cargo operations.

Under the agreement, Cathay will supply DHL Express with 2,400 tonnes of SAF for international flights operated by Air Hong Kong, a Cathay Group subsidiary that serves DHL. The fuel will be used on routes departing from Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, and Singapore Changi airports.

The collaboration, running through 2025, is projected to cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by around 7,190 tonnes—the equivalent of more than 100 Hong Kong–Singapore Airbus 330 freighter flights.

“Air transport is a major contributor to our emissions, and SAF currently represents less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption,” said Peter Bardens, DHL Express Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific. “Expanding SAF use in Asia with Cathay is another step in creating demand and building a stronger SAF ecosystem.”

The deal marks the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights and strengthens a two-decade partnership between DHL and Cathay. Cathay Cargo Director Tom Owen called the initiative “a key milestone” and emphasized the importance of collaboration in scaling SAF adoption.

The agreement also makes DHL a member of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme, which supported over 6,000 tonnes of SAF use in 2024 with 16 corporate partners. Cathay is further advancing SAF initiatives through supply agreements with Sinopec and SK Energy, and via the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition.

DHL, meanwhile, continues to secure long-term SAF deals worldwide as part of its Strategy 2030, which identifies green logistics and new energy as key growth drivers.

Source: cathaypacific.com