Korean Air will commence using domestically-produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time on flight KE719 from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Haneda, making the airline the first Korean flag carrier to operate commercial flights partially powered by SAF produced in South Korea.
From August 30, 2024 through July 2025, Korean Air will utilise a one per cent SAF blend for flight KE719 from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita once a week. This route will serve as a starting point for the airline’s domestic SAF programme, with plans to gradually expand SAF usage to medium- and longhaul routes.
A special ceremony was held on August 30 at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 to celebrate the occasion
The SAF used on this route is supplied by two leading energy companies in South Korea: S-Oil and SK Energy. S-Oil will provide the SAF for the first six months, followed by SK Energy for the remaining period. S-Oil produces SAF from used cooking oil, while SK Energy utilises a combination of used cooking oil and animal fats. Both companies’ SAF products have been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, ensuring they meet international sustainability standards.
With the adoption of SAF gaining momentum globally, South Korea is also laying the groundwork for SAF market growth. In 2022, the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport along with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the Eco-friendly Biofuel Expansion Plan to establish quality and production standards for domestically-produced SAF. In August 2024, the government amended the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act to permit the use of eco-friendly materials in petroleum refining processes.
Korean Air has been implementing SAF in its operations since 2017 when it first used SAF for a passenger flight from Chicago to Seoul Incheon. The airline has since expanded its SAF usage to passenger flights between Paris to Seoul Incheon.
In 2023, Korean Air conducted six test flights as part of a government-led SAF demonstration research project, contributing data towards the development of domestic SAF quality and production standards.
Korean Air continues to upgrade its fleet with next-generation aircraft models, including the Airbus A220-300, A321-neo, Boeing 787-9, 787-10, and 737-8, which offer 20 to 25 per cent lower carbon emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.
Korean Air will commence using domestically-produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time on flight KE719 from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Haneda, making the airline the first Korean flag carrier to operate commercial flights partially powered by SAF produced in South Korea.
From August 30, 2024 through July 2025, Korean Air will utilise a one per cent SAF blend for flight KE719 from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita once a week. This route will serve as a starting point for the airline’s domestic SAF programme, with plans to gradually expand SAF usage to medium- and longhaul routes.
The SAF used on this route is supplied by two leading energy companies in South Korea: S-Oil and SK Energy. S-Oil will provide the SAF for the first six months, followed by SK Energy for the remaining period. S-Oil produces SAF from used cooking oil, while SK Energy utilises a combination of used cooking oil and animal fats. Both companies’ SAF products have been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, ensuring they meet international sustainability standards.
With the adoption of SAF gaining momentum globally, South Korea is also laying the groundwork for SAF market growth. In 2022, the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport along with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the Eco-friendly Biofuel Expansion Plan to establish quality and production standards for domestically-produced SAF. In August 2024, the government amended the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act to permit the use of eco-friendly materials in petroleum refining processes.
Korean Air has been implementing SAF in its operations since 2017 when it first used SAF for a passenger flight from Chicago to Seoul Incheon. The airline has since expanded its SAF usage to passenger flights between Paris to Seoul Incheon.
In 2023, Korean Air conducted six test flights as part of a government-led SAF demonstration research project, contributing data towards the development of domestic SAF quality and production standards.
Korean Air continues to upgrade its fleet with next-generation aircraft models, including the Airbus A220-300, A321-neo, Boeing 787-9, 787-10, and 737-8, which offer 20 to 25 per cent lower carbon emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.