Luxembourg, 13 June 2023 – Cargolux became the first airline to uplift SAF at Luxembourg’s Findel airport, a significant milestone in the vital journey to decarbonization. Cargolux, lux-Airport, World Fuel Services and Neste, four future-driven partners joined forces to secure the first delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Luxembourg airport. The bio-based fuel was delivered to Luxembourg airport’s fuel farm via NATO’s Central European Pipeline System (CEPS).
Using this SAF, Cargolux will operate a carbon neutral flight from Luxembourg (LUX) to Zhengzhou (CGO), its biggest hub in mainland China.
The SAF is from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, in compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) Directive.
“This initiative marks a first for all involved and I am proud of the smooth process we witnessed throughout from delivery to uplift. This is a milestone in Cargolux’s sustainable engagement and a significant step in our carbon reduction roadmap. We look forward to continuing this journey in collaboration with lux-Airport, World Fuel Services and Neste, with whom we share a common vision for a sustainable industry”, states Richard Forson, Cargolux President & CEO.
“As an airport, we are facilitator and promoter of sustainability. Moreover, engaging our partners to opt for an environmentally friendly approach matches our top goal of getting net zero by 2030 for the airport infrastructure. The first flight with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by Cargolux is a strong pledge to lower carbon emissions going forward and showcases their role as a major player in the industry by choosing a key lever to this goal. As the home base of Cargolux, we at lux-Airport, highly appreciate Cargolux’s approach to environmental leadership for cleaner skies. We want to express our congratulations to Cargolux on the first SAF flight ever from Luxembourg, which is a truly remarkable milestone in the country’s environmentally friendly aviation approach”, says Alexander Flassak, CEO lux-Airport.
“We are excited to supply our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel for this celebratory Cargolux cargo flight from Luxembourg Airport in cooperation with World Fuel Services. It is a great example of collaboration with partners across aviation’s value chain to make SAF available. It builds on earlier deliveries of Neste’s SAF to Cargolux at Amsterdam Airport and previous deliveries of SAF to airports via the CEPS pipeline system. It also highlights the importance of joint efforts in making more sustainable fuel options available at airports,” says Alexander Kueper, Vice President EMEA from the Renewable Aviation business unit at Neste.
“The first successful delivery of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via the CEPS pipeline to Luxemburg Airport marks a significant milestone for World Fuel Services, underscoring our commitment expanding access to renewable fuels,” says Duncan Storey, vice president, supply aviation Europe, World Fuel Services. “Through a collaborative effort with Neste and Cargolux, we have successfully transported blended SAF across multiple countries, showcasing our determination to provide reliable renewable fuel solutions. Improving access to sustainable aviation fuel is crucial for a greener future. As a leading player in the industry, we are proud to be at the forefront of this effort, working closely with our partners and stakeholders to make sustainable aviation a reality.”
The 747-8F will land at its destination, CGO, on time for a ceremony marking the 10th year since Cargolux first started operating services to Zhengzhou in 2014. The occasion and related ceremonies will be held within the framework of sustainability and focused on the importance of achieving a “Green Silk Road” between LUX and CGO. Cargolux’s SAF-fueled, carbon-offset flight serves as a symbol and building block for this initiative.
Initiatives such as this highlight the importance of strong partnerships to achieve net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a key lever to meeting this target and cooperation with like-minded partners is key. Each party involved is committed to supporting the production and large-scale availability of SAF to help establish an environmentally-sound aviation industry.
About Cargolux Airlines International
Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, is Europe’s leading all-cargo airline operating a fleet of 30 Boeing 747-8 freighters and Boeing 747-400 freighters. The Cargolux worldwide network covers over 75 destinations on scheduled all-cargo flights and offers full and part-charter services. The company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries and operates an extensive global trucking network to more than 250 destinations. With 50 years of experience in the air cargo industry and an extensive product portfolio, Cargolux provides tailored transport solutions for all types of shipments. As a responsible cargo carrier, Cargolux has developed a solid CSR program encompassing Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. The Cargolux Group employs close to 2,500 staff members worldwide.
About lux-airport
Luxembourg Airport is a boutique airport that strives to offer you the quality and standards of a large hub airport with the shortcuts, comfort, and efficiency of a regional one. Luxembourg airport is the only international airport in Luxembourg and the Greater Regions gateway with more than 100 non-stop flight destinations and currently 12 different airlines. Before the pandemic in 2019, passenger numbers were at 4.4 million. Figures are not 100 percent back, but the traffic is recovering, 4.05 million passengers passed through the airport in 2022. Regarding Cargo, Luxembourg airport is one of the major players in Europe, always in the top ten list of Europeans Cargo Airports. In 2022 a total volume of 975,000 tonnes of cargo was handled at Luxembourg Airport. The full freighter airline Cargolux and the national airline Luxair Luxembourg Airlines have their home base at Luxembourg Airport. www.lux-airport.lu
About World Fuel Services
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, World Fuel Services is a global energy management company involved in providing supply fulfillment, energy procurement advisory services, and transaction and payment management solutions to commercial and industrial customers worldwide. World Fuel Services sells and delivers liquid fuels, natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, and other sustainability solutions to its clients at more than 8,000 locations in more than 200 countries and territories through its Marine, Aviation, and World Kinect Energy Services divisions. For more information, visit www.wfscorp.com or www.world-kinect.com.
About Neste
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion. Read more: www.neste.com