Korean Air announced on Jan. 10 that it signed a contract with Japan’s Yusen Logistics for participation in a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) cooperation program. The agreement was finalized at the Yusen Logistics headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. With this partnership, Yusen Logistics becomes the first Japanese forwarder to collaborate with Korean Air in this domain.
SAF is an eco-friendly aviation fuel made from non-fossil sources such as animal and vegetable oils, algae, and urban waste gases, unlike traditional fuels derived from petroleum or coal. While being two to five times more expensive than conventional aviation fuel, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by over 80%.
The European Union plans to mandate the use of SAF for aircraft using its airports starting from 2025. Similarly, in the United States, tax deductions are offered as incentives, reflecting a global trend towards increasing adoption of SAF.
Since September 2023, Korean Air has been operating an SAF cooperation program involving its cargo transportation partners, a first in the domestic aviation cargo sector in Korea. The program involves partners participating in the purchase of SAF for cargo transportation. Korean Air shares the results of carbon emission reductions achieved through the use of SAF with its partners, aiming to establish an eco-friendly logistics ecosystem.