DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding are advancing their sustainability goals through a new contract with IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG). This partnership secures an additional 60 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for DHL, covering emissions for 2024 and 2025. The SAF initiative is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 165,000 metric tons of CO2e, equivalent to removing a B747-400 freighter from DHL’s UK-to-US intercontinental routes. This marks the largest SAF agreement between an airline and a customer to date.
The SAF used in this collaboration is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and is produced from waste sources like used cooking oil and food waste. Compared to conventional jet fuel, this SAF can lower lifecycle emissions by around 80%. Most of the SAF will be delivered to London Heathrow for use in DHL’s operations.
Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations & Aviation at DHL Express, emphasised the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable future, noting that both DHL and IAG Cargo share a commitment to reducing their carbon footprints. Max Sauberschwarz, Global Head of Air Freight at DHL Global Forwarding, praised the use of SAF combined with DHL’s “book and claim” approach, which allows for the allocation of emission reductions to customers via certificates.
David Shepherd, CEO of IAG Cargo, highlighted the partnership as a demonstration of their shared dedication to decarbonising aviation. He added that the deal reinforces IAG Cargo’s role in sustainable air freight and moves the Group closer to its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
