The new partners are DB Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel, Julius Baer and Lenton Group – bringing the total partnership number to 15.
The Hong Kong-based airline launched the programme in 2022 to accelerate the transition to SAF in the aviation industry. The alternative fuel is usually produced from biomass feedstock, such as used cooking oil.
Partners are able to contribute to the scale up of the use of SAF on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo flights – and are then provided with an emissions reduction certificate and a third-party assurance letter. The documents serve as proof of their Scope 3 emissions reductions.
The 2024 programme partners have committed to using a combined 2,650 tonnes of SAF (equal to 906,000 US gallons), equivalent to a reduction of approximately 8,060 tonnes of carbon emissions, three times the reduction achieved last year.
The programme has also launched a new tiered structure to allow customers to participate based on their SAF demand and business needs under Diamond, Gold and Silver tiers.
Currently, DB Schenker is the biggest contributor to the programme to date.
Thorsten Meincke, board member for air and ocean at DB Schenker, commented: “By setting a benchmark here in the region, we aim to inspire many followers globally and thereby accelerate the industry’s path to sustainability. This demonstrates that business growth and sustainability can truly go hand in hand.”
Other partners include Airport Authority Hong Kong, AIA, Dimerco Express Group, Kintetsu World Express, Standard Chartered Bank, Swire Pacific, Yusen Logistics, and the Business Environment Council.
Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam added: “Our Corporate SAF Programme has now entered into its third year and keeps expanding. The programme is a key pillar in Cathay’s overall approach to leading the aviation industry’s decarbonisation.
“With growing support from our corporate travel and cargo customers, Cathay continues to increase SAF usage across our network worldwide. In doing so, our customers are able to help reduce emissions from their air travel and airfreight.”
Cathay Pacific has a target of 10% SAF for its total fuel use by 2030.
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