Using Eco-Friendly Fuel and Aircraft Recycling... Korean Air Accelerates ESG Efforts

Korean Air is accelerating its ESG management by flying aircraft with eco-friendly fuel and introducing goods (planned products) made from recycled aviation waste.

The new aircraft model of Korean Air, the Airbus A321neo. Photo by Korean Air

After the International Air Transport Association (IATA) General Assembly resolved ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality,’ Korean Air has introduced various carbon reduction measures. The introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a representative example. 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 or coal. Although it is 2 to 5 times more expensive than conventional aviation fuel, it can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.

Korean Air was the first in Korea to use SAF in November 2017, operating a flight once on the Chicago?Incheon route. Last year, SAF was also introduced on the regular Paris?Incheon route. Additionally, Korean Air signed a memorandum of understanding with the global energy company Shell to receive priority SAF supply at airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions for five years starting in 2026.

The airline is also increasing the proportion of new aircraft with high fuel efficiency. The recently introduced A220-300, A321neo, B787-9, and B737-8 are high-efficiency aircraft that can reduce carbon emissions per seat by 15 to 25% compared to similar models. By 2028, Korean Air plans to bring in a total of 90 new aircraft, including 30 A321neos, 10 B787-9s, and 30 B737-8s.

Name tags and ball markers made from upcycled retired Korean Air aircraft. Photo by Korean Air

‘Upcycling’ activities that transform aviation resources, which would have been discarded as waste, into new products are also actively underway. In early 2021, the first upcycled goods made by dismantling a retired aircraft sold out within a day. Four thousand name tags made from the fuselage of a Boeing 777 that flew a total of 106,820 hours over 23 years became popular through word of mouth among so-called ‘aviation enthusiasts.’ In September of the same year, name tags and golf ball markers made from materials of a Boeing 747-400 were introduced, and in May of this year, similar products using materials from a Boeing 777-200ER were launched, each time gaining tremendous popularity.

Blankets from the cabin that were partially damaged and difficult to reuse were turned into warm water bags and delivered to neighbors. Old life jackets were reborn as cosmetic pouches, and the proceeds were donated to environmental organizations. When transporting cargo by aircraft, eco-friendly vinyl made from recycled waste vinyl and plastic containers is used. Items loaded in the cabin have also been replaced with reusable or eco-friendly materials.

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