Korean Air, LX Pantos join forces on SAF use for cargo flights

by Payload Asia

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Korean Air headquarters on 20 November, attended by Jaedong Eum, Senior Vice President and Head of Cargo Business Division at Korean Air, and Keun Taek Oh, Vice President and Head of Air Freight Business Unit at LX Pantos.

Korean Air has partnered with Seoul-based logistics company LX Pantos to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on cargo flights in line with net-zero carbon ambitions.

Both companies have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the cargo industry and foster awareness of SAF usage within Korea. LX Pantos will purchase SAF for Korean Air’s cargo operations, and Korean Air will share the amount of carbon emissions reduced accordingly.

Korean Air is working to establish the infrastructure for SAF usage in the domestic aviation sector. In September 2022, the airline signed an agreement with Shell to purchase SAF at major airports in Asia Pacific and the Middle East from 2026 to 2031.

In September, Korean Air launched a cargo SAF programme for air cargo customers and forwarders to make customized contributions to reduce their carbon footprint. 

The airline has also been conducting test flights using SAF from September to November this year and will share the results with the government, who aims to set SAF blending ratios and quality standards based on the outcomes of these test flights.