Korean Air to Conduct Three-Month Pilot Flights Between Incheon and LA Using Bio Aviation Fuel

Korean Air held a commemorative ceremony for the demonstration flight of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Incheon International Airport on the 5th, together with GS Caltex.

Korean Air announced plans for a total of six demonstration flights by November on cargo flights from Incheon to Los Angeles. Based on this, performance tests such as safety and energy consumption efficiency will be conducted, and the government plans to establish related standards, including the quality of bio aviation fuel, based on the results.

This bio aviation fuel demonstration flight was carried out according to the government's plan to promote demonstration research. Korean Air and GS Caltex signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in June for the first domestic demonstration research on bio aviation fuel.

The bio aviation fuel is supplied by GS Caltex, which is the first domestic company to receive biofuel from Neste, a biofuel production company. This product meets international quality standards such as those of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Korean Air has recently been expanding the introduction of SAF to reduce carbon emissions. In February 2022, it introduced bio aviation fuel on the first domestic regular flight route between Paris and Incheon. In September, it also signed an MOU with the global energy company Shell to receive priority supply of bio aviation fuel at airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions for five years starting in 2026. Since September this year, it has also launched a 'Customer Participation SAF Cooperation Program' together with air cargo customers.

Bio aviation fuel refueled in Korean Air airplane
Photo by Korean Air

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