Korean Air expands domestic SAF usage

Korean Air is introducing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend on flights to Kobe and Osaka, expanding its use of domestically produced SAF.

The airline first trialed locally produced SAF on its Incheon-Haneda route from August 2024 to August 2025. 

Korean Air will use a 1% SAF blend on flights from Incheon to Kobe (KE731) and Gimpo to Osaka (KE2117) from September 19th, 2025 through to December 31st, 2026. The programme will cover approximately 90 flights on the Kobe route and 26 flights on the Osaka route.

“SAF, which can reduce life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, is considered a key component of the aviation industry’s decarbonisation strategy,” stated the carrier in a press release.  

The airline’s SAF is sourced from domestic suppliers HD Hyundai Oilbank and GS Caltex. Produced from used cooking oil, the fuel is certified under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Korean Air carried more than 23m passengers in 2024. The airline serves 116 cities in 39 countries on five continents with a fleet of 161 aircraft.