DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo take off with SAF

DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo have launched the first regular carbon neutral cargo flight.
The companies have kicked off weekly flights between Frankfurt am Main and Shanghai Pudong, using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
This will save around 174 metric tons of conventional kerosene each week.
Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, said: "As of now, carbon neutral supply chains are also feasible with air freight. Our weekly flights between Frankfurt and Shanghai are the kick-off of a new era. We are proud to have already convinced so many customers of this future-orientated product. Next, business and politics have to take charge to create more capacity for regenerative fuels and clean aviation.”
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, added: "With the world's first sustainable cargo flight with DB Schenker at the end of 2020, we demonstrated that flying without fossil emissions is already possible. Today, we jointly launched the world's first regular sustainable cargo flight connection.
“This paves the way for many more connections of this kind. We are counting on the determination of our industry and the dedication of consumers to get this off the ground together."
SAF is produced mainly from biomass waste, such as used vegetable and cooking oils."
The weekly volume of SAF procured by DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo corresponds to 174 metric tons of kerosene, which is about the amount needed for the connection to Shanghai and back.
However, for technical and legal reasons, it is currently not possible to fuel an aircraft entirely with SAF.
Therefore, the SAF is blended with conventional kerosene via the airport's refuelling system and consumed proportionally by all subsequently refuelled aircraft.