Aviation giant Cathay Pacific has welcomed the findings of a study that examines both the challenges and ‘untapped potential’ for scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Chinese Mainland.
“As a vital player in global aviation and the SAF ecosystem, the Chinese Mainland’s development of its domestic SAF industry not only capitalises on global momentum and supports national carbon targets, but also helps promote the availability and affordability of SAF needed by the global aviation industry,” commented Grace Cheung, Cathay Pacific’s general manager, sustainability.
SAF ecosystem
The airline was commenting following the publication of Igniting the SAF Market: Policy Pathways for Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a study undertaken by Peking University’s National School of Development, which sets out policy pathways aimed at bolstering the development of China‘s SAF ecosystem.
The report highlights China’s advantages when it comes to feedstock and manufacturing capabilities, drawing parallels with the country’s thriving photovoltaic industry, and suggests that the Power-to-Liquid (PtL) process used to produce electro-sustainable aviation fuel would be the most cost-effective pathway for SAF development, if supported by appropriate policy frameworks.
“This study by Peking University is encouraging, as it demonstrates the long-term potential for cost parity between SAF and conventional jet fuel, provided there is sufficient support for the development of new technologies and large-scale SAF production, along with policies that support SAF deployment from both demand and supply sides,” Cheung added.
“Such progress will be essential for global airlines to realise further SAF usage in a commercially viable way.”
Reducing emissions
Cathay Pacific was among the first global airlines to start using Chinese-developed SAF, at Hong Kong International Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol, and London Heathrow.
SAF can save around 80% of carbon emissions on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional jet fuel, and continues to play a ‘critical role in aviation’s path to decarbonisation’, Cathay Pacific added.
The full study, Igniting the SAF Market: Policy Pathways for Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel, can be found here.
