Cathay Pacific, for the very first time, has used sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights outside its hub in Hong Kong.

The airline, which wants 10 percent of its total fuel use to be SAF by 2030, refuelled at Singapore Airport with a batch of SAF blended and supplied by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific.

This batch of SAF, made from 100 percent used cooking oil and meets International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU standards, was refuelled onto four Cathay Pacific cargo flights. CX2076 flew to Hong Kong on 7, 14 and 28 June, and CX2074 to Penang on 30 June.

Cathay is no stranger to SAF and it believes the alternate fuel will be the primary lever by which the aviation industry achieves net-zero carbon emissions. “By expanding the uplift of blended SAF onto selected commercial flights at Changi Airport as well as our home hub, we hope to strengthen SAF awareness across the Asia Pacific region and send a strong signal to the supply chain that there is firm demand for SAF from airlines,” said Cathay Group chief Ronald Lam.

Cathay Pacific launched its Corporate SAF Programme in 2022, with eight organisations as launch customers. The programme provides the opportunity to reduce carbon footprint from business travel or airfreight by contributing to the use of SAF.