Cathay Pacific reaffirms 10% SAF use by 2030

It highlights the importance of SAF as it works towards net-zero by 2050.

Cathay Pacific expects to begin the delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Fulcrum BioEnergy, which they will use for flights departing the US from 2024 onwards when Fulcrum can scale up its production.

The airline has already committed to purchasing 1.1 million tonnes of SAF over ten years, which will cover around 2% of its pre-COVID-19 fuel requirements on an annual basis.

The airline was also the first to partner with Airbus to use SAF on new aircraft delivery flights from Toulouse, France. Since the partnership started in 2016, Cathay Pacific has used over 40 brand new aircraft with blended SAF.

CEO Augustus Tang said, "The use of SAF is key to decarbonising our operations over the next few decades. Cathay Pacific already has a head start in this space with our investment and offtake agreement with Fulcrum BioEnergy. Our new commitment to have SAF comprise 10% of our total fuel consumption by 2030 is a clear signal of our determination to achieve our net-zero emissions target and to be a leader in the fight against climate change."

Additionally, Cathay Pacific has already pledged to cut its absolute ground emissions by 32% from the 2018 baseline by 2030 through enhancing energy-saving measures and exploring renewable energy options in its premises and operations.