Cathay Pacific is using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in commercial operations out of its Hong Kong hub for the first time, continuing its progress toward its goal of using SAF to provide 10% of total fuel consumption by 2023.
Blended and distributed by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, this SAF service was fueled at Singapore Changi Airport on four Cathay Pacific cargo flights: CX 2076 to Hong Kong on June 7, 14 and 28, and CX 2074 to Penang on June 30. This follows the use of SAF blended with traditional fuel on selected flights from Hong Kong International Airport last year, and on Airbus A350 delivery flights from Europe for the past six years.
Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Group, said: «This is an important milestone for Cathay Pacific and our ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As an international airline, we have a leadership role to play in helping the aviation industry decarbonize and we are constantly exploring solutions and advocating broad collaboration with many stakeholders to combat climate change«.
Made from 100% used cooking oil, this pure SAF meets the European Union’s International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standards. The SAF can decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 90% over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel, providing an air transport and air cargo solution with lower GHG emissions.
The Hong Kong airline is committed to increasing the use of SAF on its flights. The airline launched the Cathay Pacific Corporate SAF Program, the first major program of its kind in Asia, in 2022, with eight companies as launch customers.
The program enables corporate customers to reduce their carbon footprint on business or air cargo travel by promoting the use of SAF. Cathay Pacific plans to add more corporate customers to the program in 2023.
«We are delighted to partner with Cathay Pacific for the success of certified SAE deliveries in Singapore. ExxonMobil remains focused on growing our lower GHG fuels business to support the aviation industry’s decarbonization goals by leveraging our operational and logistics capabilities«, said Ong Shwu Hoon, Vice President, Asia Pacific Fuels, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
See also: Cathay Pacific resumes seasonal flights to Christchurch, New Zealand
 in commercial operations out of the Hong Kong hub for the first time){kind=link}