IAG Cargo has worked with Kuehne+Nagel to complete its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) charter chain of 16 flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta.

The partners said this was the first time passenger-freighter charter flights had been operated with net zero carbon emissions [SAF use still produces some CO2 emissions, so carbon neutrality was achieved by substituting each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.25 litres of SAF].

Some 1.2 million litres of SAF was sourced from Neste. The company says its fuel is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials. In its neat form and over the life cycle, its use can reduce up to 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use [as calculated with life cycle assessment methodologies, among which EU RED and CORSIA].

The last of the British Airways 787-900 flights left Stuttgart on 26 June collecting on average 45 tonnes of automotive spares and other industrial goods destined for Atlanta via London Heathrow.

“International Airlines Group was the first European airline group to commit to powering 10 per cent of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030,” said IAG Cargo chief commercial officer John Cheetham. “These charters mark IAG Cargo’s first step on that journey – we’re incredibly proud of our commitment to long-term sustainability, helping to reduce carbon footprint overall.

“We are constantly looking at ways which reduce our impact on the environment whilst improving our customer offering and we were delighted to support Kuehne+Nagel with sourcing Neste-produced SAF to power these landmark charters, the first of many.”

Kuehne+Nagel member of the management board responsible for air logistics Yngve Ruud commented: “Climate change has now given new urgency to the search for cleaner, renewable fuels as they are currently the most effective measure to achieve true decarbonisation in our industry.

“Kuehne+Nagel is committed to increase its supply of SAF as part of our ambitious ‘Net Zero Carbon’ programme. Our work with our suppliers is critical here, with trusted partners like IAG Cargo playing a vital role in the attainment of our goals and by fostering deployment of sustainable fuels so our like-minded customers can ship their products CO2 neutral in an easy and transparent way.”