Korean Air introduces Cargo SAF Program

(Korean Air) Korean Air will launch a program to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for air cargo operations in cooperation with air cargo customers and forwarders. Customers can make customized contributions through the Korean Air Cargo SAF program and reduce their carbon footprint. Korean Air will use the contributions to purchase additional SAF and share with customers the amount of carbon emissions reduced by using SAF.

The airline’s initiative is a part of its ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness in the air cargo sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

SAF is an environmentally-friendly aviation fuel derived from alternative raw materials that may be blended with existing conventional jet fuel. From production to consumption, sustainably-produced SAF may reduce carbon footprint up to 80% compared to existing fossil-derived aviation fuel. IATA expects SAF to account for 65% of the mitigation needed to achieve the industry’s net zero goals by 2050.

Korean Air has been at the forefront in paving the foundation for SAF usage in the Korean domestic aviation industry. The airline has actively participated in the Korean government’s “eco-friendly biofuel activation alliance” since last October, to introduce and promote new biofuel in Korea. The airline will continue to work with stakeholders in the government, private institutions, and refiners to review various domestic and international demonstration projects to increase SAF production and application.

“We're pleased to work together with our clients to reduce carbon emissions from cargo operations through the SAF program,” said Jaedong Eum, Senior Vice President and Head of Korean Air’s Cargo Business Division. “Korean Air is committed to sustainable development with our next generation in mind.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Korea JoongAng Daily: Bio-jet fuel made with used cooking oils and animal fats will power a cargo plane in test flights for the first time in Korea, GS Caltex said Tuesday. The test flights come as the world strives to cut carbon emissions in aviation.

The energy company held a ceremony that day with Korean Air Lines at Incheon International Airport to commemorate the test flight using aviation biofuels, or so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), procured by GS Caltex from Finland’s Neste.

The event followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between GS Caltex and Korean Air Lines on June 29, which is part of the government’s plan to expand the application of alternative biofuels.

During the ceremony, a Korean Air cargo flight heading to Los Angeles was refueled with aviation biofuels supplied through GS Caltex’s global value chain. It marks the first case of aviation biofuel application in Korea.

There will be six test flights, twice every month, with a 2 percent SAF blended jet fuel.

The Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority will collect samples of the biofuels to verify their quality and safety while also analyzing performance through test flights.

The biofuel, branded as Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is produced with used cooking oils and animal fats. It can cut carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional jet fuels. GS Caltex is the first company in Korea to import SAF from Neste, the world’s largest biofuel supplier.

In order to enhance reliability in the biofuel supply, GS Caltex acquired ISSC EU, International Sustainability & Carbon Certification providing proof of compliance with European regulations, in August. GS is the first Korean oil refiner to receive the certification.

The latest ceremony was attended by GS Caltex Executive Vice President Kim Chang-soo, Korean Air Senior Vice President Cho Seong-bae, and representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

“GS Caltex will be able to contribute to Korea’s first step toward reducing carbon emissions in aviation,” said Kim, adding that “we will continue to make various efforts to establish a foundation to further expand bio-jet fuel applications by extending cooperation with our clients and more.” READ MORE