Today, Korean Air will begin using domestically produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the first time on flight KE719 from Seoul-Incheon to Tokyo-Haneda. This milestone makes it the first Korean flag carrier to operate commercial flights partially powered by SAF produced in Korea. A special ceremony was held on August 30 at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 to celebrate the occasion.

Starting from August 30, 2024 through July 2025, the airline will utilize a 1% SAF blend for flight KE719 from Seoul-Incheon to Tokyo-Narita, once a week. This route will serve as a starting point for the airline’s domestic SAF program, with plans to gradually expand SAF usage to medium- and long-haul routes.

It is used on this route is supplied by two leading Korean energy companies: S-Oil and SK Energy. 

SAF is chemically identical to conventional jet fuel, allowing it to be blended with existing aviation fuel without the need for aircraft modifications. 

The adoption of SAF is gaining momentum globally, in USA and Europe and now the Korea is also laying the groundwork for its market growth.

The airline has been implementing it in its operations since 2017 when it first used SAF for a passenger flight from Chicago to Seoul-Incheon. The carrier has since expanded its SAF usage to cargo routes from Oslo and Stockholm to Seoul-Incheon, and passenger flights between Paris to Seoul-Incheon. In 2023, Korean Air conducted six test flights as part of a government-led SAF demonstration research project.

Korean Air continues to seek ways to reduce carbon emissions: the carrier continues to upgrade its fleet with next-generation aircraft models, including the A-220/300, A-321neo, B-787/9, B-787/10, and B-737/8 aircraft. In the cargo sector, the airline has also initiated a program allowing its clients to purchase SAF for air freighter operations.