Cathay Group invites industry stakeholders to join its SAF programme

Ronald S.P. Lam, CEO of Cathay Group, has called on aviation leaders to join efforts in reducing industry emissions by supporting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). “Our mission is clear: to shift aviation towards a greener future. I invite more leaders to join us on this journey,” said Lam in a recent LinkedIn post.

Since its launch in 2022, Cathay Group’s Corporate SAF Programme has grown significantly, establishing itself as a major sustainability platform in Asia. Lam noted the programme’s progress and thanked the partners for their involvement. “We sincerely appreciate our corporate partners who have joined Cathay in the collective effort to reduce emissions from business travel and air cargo,” he said. Among these partners is DB Schenker, a major SAF customer for Cathay Pacific’s cargo division. “DB Schenker is a big partner of Cathay Pacific for the cargo division. They’ve made a huge deal to buy much more SAF,” said Thorsten Meincke, Board Member of Air and Ocean at DB Schenker.

Yngve Ruud, EVP of Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, also emphasised the logistics company’s commitment to sustainability. “Our ambition is to be the most trusted supply-chain partner supporting a sustainable future. To support that, we are expanding SAF’s carrier base and geographical reach,” Ruud noted.

Expanding SAF to new markets
This year, Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme has expanded its reach to markets across Asia, Europe, and North America. “With the support of our partners, Cathay can contribute to expanding SAF usage in markets across Asia, Europe, and North America,” Lam explained. The airline aims to use SAF for 10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030 as part of a broader goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

SAF, derived from renewable resources, is a key component in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, with the potential to cut lifecycle emissions by over 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, particularly for long-haul flights. “SAF stands out as a game-changer, slashing greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% compared to fossil fuels. By joining forces with Cathay Pacific, we're taking concrete action towards a more sustainable world,” said George Chiou, President of Air Freight at Dimerco Express Group.

The Corporate SAF Programme operates by sourcing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) that meets internationally recognised sustainability standards. Through financial contributions from corporate customers, Cathay can expand the use of SAF across its passenger and cargo flights, replacing traditional jet fuel to achieve substantial carbon emissions reductions. In recognition of their support, Cathay issues verified emissions reduction certificates to customers, enabling them to document Scope 3 emissions reductions in alignment with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements.

“We work closely with our customers to reduce freight-based carbon emissions,” Lam added. “Together, we can reduce carbon emissions generated by business travel and air freight and lead the transition to renewable energy in aviation.”