Korean Air will expand its use of sustainable aviation fuels, operating a SAF blend on more flights to Japan.

The SkyTeam operator says it will use a 1% SAF blend on flights between Seoul Incheon and Kobe, as well as between Seoul Gimpo and Osaka through 31 December 2026.

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Source: Alfred Chua/FlightGlobal

The airline’s SAF is sourced from domestic suppliers HD Hyundai Oilbank and GS Caltex with used cooking oil as its feedstock.

This comes after the carrier used a SAF blend on flights between Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Haneda for a trial period between August 2024 and August 2025.

On 18 September, several major international operators – including the likes of American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and IAG – rolled out a new investment fund aimed at scaling SAF production.

The fund has raised over $150 million and will support next-generation SAF production, as well as growth of “alternative fuel markets” and supply chains to meet the airline sector’s projected long-term demand.