Korean Air collaborates with Yusen on sustainable jet fuel

[Courtesy of Korean Air]

Korean Air Lines Co. announced on Wednesday that it inked a partnership agreement with Japanese global logistics company Yusen Logistics for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cooperation program.

Both companies have committed to promoting the use of SAF within the Asian region and participating in the aviation logistics industry’s efforts to address climate change. Korean Air’s collaboration with Yusen is its first partnership with a Japanese freight forwarder.

SAF is an aviation fuel made from eco-friendly sources such as used cooking oil as well as non-fossil resources including plant oils, algae, and urban waste gases. Although SAF costs 2 to 5 times more than conventional aviation fuel, it can reduce carbon emissions by over 80 percent.

The European Union plans to mandate the use of SAF for aircraft operating in local airports starting in 2025. France has already enforced blending 1 percent SAF for airlines refueling at local airports since 2022, while the United States provides tax incentives to encourage global adoption.

Korean Air has been running a SAF cooperation program involving cargo transportation partners since September 2023, aligning with this global trend towards increased SAF usage.