Cathay Pacific has had another milestone year for its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme in 2025. Climate change is an everlasting problem, and SAF aims to reach a net-zero of carbon emissions by 2050, with 10% SAF on Cathay Pacific operating flights by 2030. This is through the programmes incentivising collaborations.
What has this sustainable growth looked like?
There have been many a myriad of partners joining the programme since its inception. In 2025, Cathay welcomed Microsoft as a new partner, collaborating to address emissions from both air cargo and business travel. This is just one of 17 global partners whose commitment and leadership have helped keep the programme positioned as one of the leading initiatives of its kind globally.
In a major step towards decarbonisation, corporate partners have pledged to use around 17,400 tonnes of SAF, marking a nearly 180% year-on year increase. The commitment translates into lifecycle emissions reduction of roughly 54,600 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (Co2e), comparable to eliminating 61,800 economy class round-trip flights between Hong Kong and London.
How does the collaboration benefit airlines moving forward?
Several Diamond Partners in Cathay’s corporate SAF programme, including EQT, have entered multi-year commitments that provide airlines with the long term demand assuredness required to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This demand is critical as it reduces exposure to supply volatility, strengthens the commercial case for SAF investment and enables progress beyond regulatory compliance.
Expanding corporate participation allows Cathay Pacific to procure SAF volumes beyond both mandatory requirements and its own voluntary usage, directly supporting the airline’s ability to increase SAF deployment across the network.
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said:
“While the growth we saw in 2025 is encouraging, it is only one step in a much longer journey to decarbonisation. Supportive policies and well-designed market incentives will be essential if our industry is to scale SAF at the pace required to stay on track for its 2050 net-zero ambition.”
Cathay Pacific’s milestones undercurrent a broad shift in how airlines, corporates and fuel suppliers are working together to decarbonise aviation. By aligning long-term corporate demand with a growing global supply network, the airline is helping turn SAF from a limited pilot solution into a scalable, commercially viable pathway for the industry. Emissions reductions in aviation heavily depends coordinated, cross-industry commitment. Which is why the SAF sees such stark success in their collaborations.
How can airlines continue to be climate-friendly? Let us know in the comments.
