Korean Air has announced the launch of a programme to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for air cargo operations in cooperation with air cargo customers and forwarders.

The initiative is part of the airline’s ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness in the air cargo sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Korean Air customers will be able to make customised contributions through the airline’s cargo SAF programme and reduce their carbon footprint.

Korean Air state they will use the contributions to purchase additional SAF and share with customers the amount of carbon emissions reduced by using the sustainable alternative.

SAF is an environmentally friendly aviation fuel derived from alternative raw materials that may be blended with existing conventional jet fuel.

From production to consumption, sustainably produced SAF may reduce carbon footprint up to 80 per cent compared to existing fossil-derived aviation fuel.

IATA expects SAF to account for 65 per cent of the mitigation needed to achieve the industry’s net zero goals by 2050.

Jaedong Eum, senior vice president and head of Korean Air’s cargo business division, said: “We’re pleased to work together with our clients to reduce carbon emissions from cargo operations through the SAF programme. Korean Air is committed to sustainable development with our next generation in mind.”

Korean Air has actively participated in the Korean government’s ‘eco-friendly biofuel activation alliance’ since last October, to introduce and promote new biofuel in Korea.

The airline states it will continue to work with stakeholders in the government, private institutions, and refiners to review various domestic and international demonstration projects to increase SAF production and application.