DHL Express and Cathay Group partner to boost SAF use in Asia
Agreement marks first SAF deployment on Air Hong Kong flights, cutting lifecycle emissions by more than 7,000 metric tons.
DHL Express and the Cathay Group have signed a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement that aims to accelerate the use of lower-carbon fuel in the Asian air cargo market.
Under the deal, Cathay will supply DHL Express with 2,400 metric tons of SAF for flights operated by Air Hong Kong, Cathay’s wholly owned subsidiary. The fuel will be used on international services departing from Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita and Singapore Changi airports.
Running through 2025, the partnership is expected to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by around 7,190 metric tons.
Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation, Asia Pacific at DHL Express, said: “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.”
The deal also represents the first SAF use on Air Hong Kong flights, a milestone for Cathay as it expands its decarbonization efforts.
The partnership makes DHL Express a member of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Program, launched in 2022 to support corporate customers in cutting emissions from travel and freight. It builds on the airline’s broader regional initiatives, including SAF supply agreements with Sinopec and SK Energy and the co-founding of the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition.
