Korean Air to Further Reduce Carbon Emissions... Introducing Eco-Friendly Fuel on International Flights

Introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel on Korea's First Regular Paris Flight
Reducing Carbon Emissions by up to 80% Compared to Conventional Jet Fuel

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Korean Air will introduce SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) on the Paris~Incheon international scheduled flight route. This is the first time SAF has been introduced on a scheduled route in Korea.

On the 18th, Korean Air announced that despite concerns about increased costs due to SAF blended supply, it empathizes with the need to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry and transition to eco-friendly fuels, and plans to introduce SAF on the Paris~Incheon scheduled route. Korean Air, which first used SAF domestically in November 2017 by operating a one-time flight on the Chicago~Incheon route, is now introducing SAF on a scheduled route.

SAF is aviation fuel made from eco-friendly raw materials such as animal and vegetable oils, seaweed, and urban waste gas, rather than traditional fossil resources like petroleum and coal. It is known to be 2 to 5 times more expensive than conventional aviation fuel based on fossil resources. However, it can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% throughout all stages from raw material procurement to consumption compared to conventional aviation fuel. The usage of SAF currently accounts for only about 0.1% of global aviation fuel due to a lack of production facilities and supply chains. Recently, the French government legislated that domestic aviation fuel suppliers must blend at least 1% SAF in their supply.

Meanwhile, Korean Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hyundai Oilbank last year to establish a foundation for bio-aviation fuel use and continues to cooperate. It has also purchased carbon-neutral aviation fuel for domestic flights from SK Energy. In February, Korean Air signed a business agreement with Incheon International Airport Corporation, Airbus, and Air Liquide for ‘Hydrogen Supply and Infrastructure Development for the Aviation Industry and Airports,’ continuing various efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Going forward, Korean Air plans to continue its efforts in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management by proactively responding to carbon reduction and climate change in various sectors, including the introduction of SAF on domestic and international routes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.