Published on
August 13, 2025
DHL Express and Cathay Group have entered a new partnership to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Asia, taking a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions in the air cargo industry. Under the agreement, DHL Express will purchase 2,400 tonnes of SAF from Cathay, which will be used on flights operated by Air Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group. This collaboration is set to boost SAF production and usage across the air cargo sector, marking a key milestone in advancing green logistics solutions.
Expanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Use in Asia
The newly established SAF partnership will see the sustainable fuel used on international flights departing from three major airports in Asia—Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, and Singapore Changi. These flights are operated by Air Hong Kong, which provides express cargo services for DHL Express in the region. The initiative is part of both companies’ shared commitment to lower-carbon air logistics and the long-term sustainability of the aviation sector.
The SAF deal is expected to significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7,190 tonnes. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by over 100 flights between Hong Kong and Singapore using an Airbus 330 freighter. By expanding SAF usage in the region, DHL and Cathay aim to accelerate the production and uptake of this greener aviation fuel, which currently represents less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption.
A Milestone in Green Logistics
DHL Express has been a frontrunner in SAF adoption, continually working to scale its use across its global network. The company’s Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation in Asia Pacific, Peter Bardens, emphasized the need for increased SAF usage in Asia to help mitigate the environmental impact of air transport. “We are at the forefront of SAF adoption and are eager to see more partners and customers join us in building a robust SAF ecosystem in Asia,” said Bardens.
DHL’s Strategy 2030 highlights “green logistics of choice” as one of its four core objectives, underscoring the company’s focus on sustainable operations. As a result, the company is not only increasing its SAF usage but is also investing in creating a more resilient and environmentally friendly logistics network.
Strengthening Partnership with Cathay Group
This new agreement further solidifies the long-standing partnership between DHL Express and the Cathay Group. For over two decades, Air Hong Kong has been a critical component of DHL Express’s Asia Pacific network. The collaboration on SAF builds upon this strong foundation, positioning the two companies to continue working together to reduce carbon emissions in the air freight industry.
Cathay’s Director of Cargo, Tom Owen, noted that this partnership represents the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights. “SAF is a core pillar of our strategy to address carbon emissions, and collaboration is essential to scaling its use. We are excited to work with like-minded partners like DHL Express to make SAF more accessible and scalable, particularly in Asia,” he explained.
Expanding the SAF Ecosystem in Asia
This collaboration is also a part of Cathay Group’s Corporate SAF Programme, launched in 2022 to help corporate partners reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from business travel and airfreight. The program has enabled the use of over 6,000 tonnes of SAF in 2024 alone, with 16 corporate partners, including major organizations like HSBC, AIA, and Standard Chartered.
Earlier this year, Cathay also entered into agreements with Sinopec and SK Energy to secure SAF supply in Hong Kong and South Korea. These partnerships further underscore Cathay’s commitment to expanding the use of SAF within its network and fostering a regional SAF ecosystem.
DHL’s Global SAF Initiatives
DHL Express has been proactive in scaling SAF usage globally, securing long-term agreements with SAF suppliers such as Neste, BP, and World Energy. Earlier this year, DHL partnered with Cosmo Oil Marketing in Japan to use SAF produced in the country for flights departing from Japan. Most recently, DHL completed an agreement with Neste for 7,400 tonnes of SAF for international flights from Singapore Changi Airport.
DHL’s continued efforts to invest in SAF align with its Strategy 2030, particularly the “New Energy” growth sector, which focuses on sustainable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydrogen, as well as alternative fuels like SAF. These initiatives ensure that DHL can meet its net-zero emissions logistics goals by 2050 while supporting the broader adoption of sustainable energy solutions in the logistics industry.
Conclusion: A Commitment to Sustainability
This partnership between DHL Express and Cathay Group marks a significant step in the fight against climate change and showcases the role of the logistics sector in driving the use of sustainable aviation fuel. As both companies work to scale SAF usage across Asia, they are setting an example for the air cargo sector in reducing emissions and transitioning to greener practices.
With both companies leading the charge, the future of air logistics looks greener, and the push for SAF adoption is likely to continue to grow, particularly in Asia where the demand for sustainable practices is on the rise.
Photo: DHL Express and Cathay Group
