DHL Express and the Cathay Group have signed a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of air cargo in Asia. Under the deal, DHL Express will purchase 2,400 metric tons of SAF from Cathay to be used on Air Hong Kong flights departing from Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, and Singapore Changi airports.
Air Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay, operates express all-cargo flights on behalf of DHL Express. The SAF supplied through this agreement will be blended and used throughout 2025, reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 7,190 metric tons—equivalent to more than 100 Airbus A330 freighter flights between Hong Kong and Singapore.
“This expansion of SAF usage in Asia is another step forward in building a more robust SAF ecosystem in the region,” said Mr. Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “Our continued investment aligns with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which recognises green logistics as a critical priority.”
A Strategic Step in a Longstanding Partnership
The agreement reinforces the longstanding relationship between DHL Express and the Cathay Group, particularly through their collaboration with Air Hong Kong over the past two decades. This new milestone marks the first time SAF will be uplifted on Air Hong Kong flights, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation in sustainable logistics.
“This partnership represents a key milestone in our decarbonisation efforts,” said Mr. Tom Owen, Director Cargo, Cathay. “It is our first SAF uplift for Air Hong Kong flights, and it reflects our broader mission to scale up SAF usage through strategic collaborations across the region.”
Driving Regional SAF Adoption
The collaboration also positions DHL Express as the latest member of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme, an initiative launched in 2022 to help companies reduce Scope 3 emissions from airfreight and business travel. In 2024 alone, the programme facilitated the use of more than 6,000 metric tons of SAF through partnerships with 16 companies including HSBC, AIA, and Standard Chartered.
Cathay has recently taken major steps to strengthen SAF availability across Asia. In early 2025, the airline signed an agreement with Sinopec to begin uplifting SAF produced in Mainland China for use at Hong Kong International Airport—a regional first. In addition, a supply deal with SK Energy will ensure SAF availability in South Korea through 2027. Cathay is also a founding member of the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition, which seeks to drive SAF policy and adoption locally.
DHL’s Global SAF Push
Globally, DHL Express has been a leader in securing long-term SAF agreements, working with Neste, bp, World Energy, and other producers. Earlier this year, DHL partnered with Cosmo Oil Marketing to begin using SAF on Japan-originating flights. More recently, the company finalised a separate deal with Neste to supply 7,400 metric tons of SAF for flights departing Singapore Changi Airport.
These initiatives are part of DHL Group’s broader investment in “New Energy” under its Strategy 2030, which includes end-to-end logistics solutions for segments such as electric vehicles, battery systems, and alternative fuels. By supporting both SAF adoption and its underlying supply chains, DHL aims to play a pivotal role in building a lower-carbon future for the logistics industry.
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