Cathay Advances Sustainability Initiatives with Record SAF Commitments for 2025
Cathay Airlines establishes itself as a leader in sustainable aviation by committing to a substantial increase in its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program.
Cathay Advances Sustainability Initiatives with Record SAF Commitments for 2025
Cathay has marked yet another milestone year in its journey toward net-zero aviation, announcing record growth in its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme for 2025. With SAF commitments more than doubling year-on-year, the airline continues to position itself as a global leader in sustainable air travel, supported by a growing network of corporate and cargo partners.
Travellers and partners can learn more about the airline’s sustainability initiatives at Cathay Pacific.
Corporate SAF Commitments Surge by Nearly 180%
Since launching in 2022, Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme has rapidly expanded, and 2025 marked its strongest year yet. Seventeen global partners collectively committed to using around 17,400 tonnes of SAF, representing a 180% increase compared with 2024.
This commitment translates to an estimated 54,600 tonnes of CO₂e emissions avoided on a lifecycle basis—equivalent to the emissions from approximately 61,800 Economy-class round trips between Hong Kong and London.
New and Long-Term Partners Drive Momentum
Cathay welcomed Microsoft as a new partner in 2025, joining a roster of influential organisations committed to decarbonising business travel and air cargo operations. Long-standing Diamond partners—including EQT, DSV, and EY—reinforced their leadership with multi-year SAF commitments.
Cargo partners also played a pivotal role. Kuehne + Nagel remained the largest cargo contributor, while collaboration with DHL Express enabled the first SAF uplift for flights operated by Air Hong Kong, a Cathay Group subsidiary.
Scaling SAF Through Global Supplier Partnerships
Growing demand from corporate partners allows Cathay to purchase SAF beyond regulatory requirements, accelerating adoption across its network. In 2025, the airline strengthened partnerships with leading global suppliers, including:
- China Aviation Oil Europe
- Itochu
- Neste
- Shell Aviation
- Sinopec
- SK Energy
These collaborations support the availability of SAF certified to internationally recognised sustainability standards, helping scale production and supply across Asia and beyond.
A Shared Path Toward Net-Zero
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam emphasised the importance of collaboration:
“Cathay has set ambitious sustainability goals, but like every airline, we cannot achieve them on our own. The growing collaboration between our corporate customers and SAF suppliers is a powerful example of how partnership can help scale SAF adoption.”
Lam also highlighted the need for supportive policies and market incentives to accelerate SAF production and ensure the aviation industry remains on track for its 2050 net-zero target.
Expanding SAF Access for Individual Travellers
Beyond corporate partnerships, Cathay is empowering individual travellers to participate in decarbonisation. In 2025, the airline launched Asia’s first membership-linked SAF contribution platform, enabling passengers to make direct contributions toward SAF usage.
This initiative complements Cathay’s strategic investments in next-generation SAF technologies and production capacity, reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainable aviation.
Conclusion
Cathay’s record-breaking SAF commitments in 2025 highlight the power of global collaboration in driving aviation decarbonisation. With expanding corporate partnerships, strengthened supplier networks and new opportunities for individual travellers to contribute, the airline continues to lead the industry toward a more sustainable future.
