HONG KONG/SINGAPORE — August 13, 2025 — DHL Express and the Cathay Group have entered into a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of low-carbon fuel in the air cargo sector across Asia.
Under the agreement, Cathay will supply DHL Express with 2,400 metric tons of SAF for international flights operated by Air Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group. The fuel will be used on flights departing from Seoul Incheon International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport.
The companies estimate the initiative will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7,190 metric tons through 2025 — the equivalent of over 100 Airbus 330 freighter flights between Hong Kong and Singapore.
“Sustainable aviation fuel currently accounts for less than 1% of the total global jet fuel consumption, yet air transport is one of our biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “Our decision to expand our SAF usage in Asia with Cathay is another important step that we have taken to drive momentum in SAF production and demand. DHL Express is at the forefront of SAF adoption, and we look forward to seeing more partners and customers join us on this journey to build a more robust SAF ecosystem in Asia.”
Expanding a Long-Standing Partnership
The SAF deal builds on more than two decades of collaboration between DHL Express and Cathay, including through Air Hong Kong’s dedicated express cargo services.
Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay Group, called the agreement a milestone for the airline:
“This partnership marks the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights, a key milestone for Cathay as we continue to expand the SAF usage across our global network. SAF remains a core pillar of our strategy to address our carbon emissions, and collaboration is essential to scaling its use. We are excited to be working with like-minded partners like DHL Express to make SAF more accessible and scalable, particularly in Asia.”
Supporting a Regional SAF Ecosystem
The initiative is part of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Program, launched in 2022 to help corporate partners reduce emissions from business travel and airfreight through SAF adoption. In 2024, the program facilitated the use of over 6,000 metric tons of SAF, with participation from 16 partners including HSBC, AIA, and Standard Chartered.
Cathay has also taken steps to secure SAF supply in multiple markets:
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Partnering with Sinopec for the first export of SAF from Mainland China to Hong Kong International Airport in early 2025.
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Signing an agreement with SK Energy to supply SAF in South Korea from 2025 to 2027.
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Co-founding the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC) to drive policy development and adoption of SAF locally.
DHL’s Global SAF Strategy
DHL Express has been an early mover in securing long-term SAF agreements worldwide, working with partners such as Neste, bp, World Energy, and Cosmo Oil Marketing. Earlier this year, DHL signed a separate deal with Neste for 7,400 metric tons of SAF for flights departing Singapore Changi Airport.
These investments align with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which identifies “green logistics of choice” as a core business priority. The Group is also exploring end-to-end logistics solutions for the “New Energy” sector, including alternative fuels, hydrogen, and renewable power technologies.
Industry Significance
Sustainable aviation fuel has been identified as one of the most effective tools currently available to reduce lifecycle emissions from air transport. While SAF production remains limited — accounting for less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption — agreements like this are seen as critical to scaling supply and lowering costs over time.
With both companies committing to long-term SAF use and advocating for broader adoption, the partnership is expected to help advance regional infrastructure and market demand for sustainable fuels in Asia’s air cargo sector.
