Cathay announces key new partnerships on its journey to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Sustainable aviation fuel concept. Net zero emissions flight. Sustainability transportation. Eco-friendly aviation fuel. Air travel. Future of flight with green innovation. Airplane use biofuel energy
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Following the successful launch of its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme in 2022, Cathay is excited to announce the addition of three new partners to the programme.

    Cargo customers Dimerco Express Group and Yusen Logistics, as well as the programme’s first non-governmental organisation (NGO) partner Business Environment Council, have joined Cathay to promote the wider adoption of renewable energy by the aviation industry to decarbonise their business travel and cargo shipments.

    Cathay is continuing to make important strides on its journey towards becoming a sustainability leader, as it endeavours to cultivate increased collaboration with important stakeholders to decarbonise the aviation industry and achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

    The new partners also join the programme’s launch customers – AIA, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Kintetsu World Express (KWE), PwC China, Standard Chartered and Swire Pacific.

    As leaders in corporate climate action, Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme partners are committed to reducing the climate impact from their business travel and airfreight activities with the use of SAF.

    Cathay’s SAF partners. (Supplied)

    “Cathay is undertaking a multi-pronged approach to contribute to the aviation industry’s transition towards a greener future,” CEO, Cathay Group, Ronald Lam, said.

    “SAF is an important facet of this approach, and we have received strong support from our corporate and cargo customers since the launch of our Corporate SAF Programme.

    “We have also established new SAF supply partnerships in the broader Asia region to convey a clear message to the SAF supply chain that there is firm demand from this part of the world.

    “We would like to warmly welcome our new partners, and express our gratitude to our original launch customers for their continued support of the programme. We look forward to welcoming other interested companies to sign up to reduce their indirect emissions from flight-related activities, and join our mission to be Greener Together.”

    SAF is considered to be the most important lever for decarbonising the entire aviation industry in coming years and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by over 80 per cent.

    The SAF Cathay used over the past year was made from used cooking oil and animal fat waste, and was made available by its fuel suppliers, ExxonMobil and Shell.

    Cathay was among the first airlines in the world to announce a target of 10 per cent SAF for its total fuel use by 2030. Since then, it uplifted SAF at Hong Kong International Airport for the first time in 2022, and successfully conducted its first overseas SAF uplifts on commercial flights at Singapore Changi Airport and Los Angeles International Airport last year.

    Last year, Cathay and State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to drive the further development of the SAF supply chain in China.

    In addition to increasing the use of SAF, Cathay’s carbon reduction roadmap includes fleet modernisation, operational efficiency improvements, leveraging on emerging technology breakthroughs to decarbonise aviation, and high-quality carbon offset projects.

    Latest News

    • Cruise

    P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

    P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

    • Destinations

    Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

    Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

    • Appointments

    Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

    Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

    • Appointments

    Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

    Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]