Cathay Group and DHL Express Sign New Agreement to Drive SAF Production and Uptake in Asia

Cathay Group has today announced that DHL Express has purchased 2,400 tonnes of SAF from the company to be used on flights operated by Air Hong Kong, an express all-cargo carrier and wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay.

DHL Express and the Cathay Group are pleased to enter into a new SAF partnership that reinforces their shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the air cargo industry – Courtesy Cathay Group

On Wednesday (August 13, 2025), Cathay Group announced the launch of a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership with DHL Express.  Under the agreement, Cathay will supply DHL Express with 2,400 tonnes of SAF for international flights departing from three airports in Asia, including Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, and Singapore Changi. These flights are operated by Air Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group, which primarily operates express cargo services for DHL Express.  The partnership, which continues through 2025, is expected to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 7,190 tonnes.  This is equivalent to the emissions of over 100 flights from Hong Kong to Singapore with an Airbus 330 Freighter. ​ ​

In Wednesday’s announcement, DHL Express’ SVP – Network Operations and Aviation Asia Pacific, Peter Bardens, said,

“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. 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. Our continued investment in this area aligns with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which recognises ‘green logistics of choice’ as one of the four bottom lines.” ​

Also commenting on the new SAF partnership, Cathay’s Director of Cargo, Tom Owen, said,

“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.”

DHL Express Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific Peter Bardens (third from left), Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen (third from right), Air Hong Kong Chief Operating Officer Clarence Tai (second from right), Cathay General Manager Sustainability Grace Cheung (first from right), DHL Express Vice President of Commercial - Hong Kong & Macau Wai Kheong Loh (second from left), and DHL Express General Manager for Central Asia Hub Samuel - Source Cathay Group

This new SAF deal builds on the over two decades long partnership between DHL Express and the Cathay Group, including Air Hong Kong, which has played a vital role in DHL Express’s Asia Pacific network.  The collaboration makes DHL Express the latest strategic partner of Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme, an initiative launched in 2022 to support corporate partners in addressing GHG emissions from business travel and airfreight through the use of SAF. In 2024, the Corporate SAF Programme enabled the use of over 6,000 tonnes of SAF, with a record 16 partners participating, including HSBC, AIA and Standard Chartered. ​

Source: Cathay Group