13 June 2023

Neste enables Cargolux to become the first airline to use sustainable aviation fuel at Luxembourg Airport

Neste Corporation, News, 13 June 2023

Photo: Cargolux aircraft. Source: Cargolux

Cargolux became the first airline to uplift sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Luxembourg Airport with the use of the fuel on a celebratory cargo flight. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ was supplied to the airport’s fuel storage using NATO’s Central European Pipeline System (CEPS) in cooperation with World Fuel Services and supported by Luxembourg Airport.

Cargolux used Neste’s SAF to operate a celebratory cargo flight from Luxembourg to Zhengzhou, the airline’s biggest hub in mainland China, marking the upcoming 10-year anniversary since Cargolux first started operating services to Zhengzhou in 2014. 

The cooperation between the four companies highlights the importance of strong partnerships contributing to the aviation industry’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Sustainable aviation fuel is a key lever to meeting this target, and using existing fuel infrastructure will accelerate the availability of SAF at airports across the globe.

“This initiative marks a first for all involved, and I am proud of the smooth process we witnessed throughout from delivery to uplift. This is a milestone in Cargolux’s sustainable engagement and a significant step in our ambitious carbon reduction roadmap. We look forward to continuing this journey in collaboration with lux-Airport, World Fuel Services and Neste, with whom we share a common vision for a sustainable industry,” states Richard Forson, Cargolux President & CEO. 

“We are excited to supply our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel for this celebratory Cargolux cargo flight from Luxembourg Airport in cooperation with World Fuel Services. It is a great example of collaboration with partners across aviation’s value chain to make SAF available. It builds on earlier deliveries of Neste’s SAF to Cargolux at Amsterdam Airport and previous deliveries of SAF to airports via the CEPS pipeline system. It also highlights the importance of joint efforts in making more sustainable fuel options available at airports,” says Alexander Kueper, Vice President EMEA from the Renewable Aviation business unit at Neste.

“As an airport, we are a facilitator and promoter of sustainability. Moreover, engaging our partners to opt for an environmentally friendly approach matches our top goal of getting net zero by 2030 for the airport infrastructure. The first flight with sustainable aviation fuel by Cargolux is a strong pledge to lower carbon emissions going forward and showcases their role as a major player in the industry by choosing a key lever to this goal. As the home base of Cargolux, we at lux-Airport, highly appreciate Cargolux's approach to environmental leadership for cleaner skies. We want to express our congratulations to Cargolux on the first-ever SAF flight from Luxembourg, which is a truly remarkable milestone in the country's environmentally friendly aviation approach,” says Alexander Flassak, CEO lux-Airport. 

“The first successful delivery of blended sustainable aviation fuel via the CEPS pipeline to Luxembourg Airport marks a significant milestone for World Fuel Services, underscoring our commitment to expanding access to renewable fuels. Through a collaborative effort with Neste and Cargolux, we have successfully transported blended SAF across multiple countries, showcasing our determination to provide reliable renewable fuel solutions. Improving access to sustainable aviation fuel is crucial for a greener future. As a leading player in the industry, we are proud to be at the forefront of this effort, working closely with our partners and stakeholders to make sustainable aviation a reality,” says Duncan Storey, vice president, supply aviation Europe, World Fuel Services.  

Sustainable aviation fuel
SAF is a renewable aviation fuel providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel. It is widely recognized as a key solution for achieving the aviation sector’s emission reduction goals. Using unblended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel. Neste MY SAF is produced from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, including used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing fueling infrastructure and aircraft engines. 

*) When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology

Further information: 

Neste: Please contact Neste’s media service, tel. +358 800 94025 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET). Please subscribe to Neste’s releases at https://www.neste.com/for-media/releases-and-news/subscribe.  

Cargolux: Please contact Moa Sigurdardottir, Head of Corporate Communications & CSR, tel. +352 4211 3635 / moa.sigurdardottir@cargolux.com

Neste in brief

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion. Read more: neste.com 

About Cargolux Airlines International

Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, is Europe’s leading all-cargo airline operating a fleet of 30 Boeing 747-8 freighters and Boeing 747-400 freighters. The Cargolux worldwide network covers over 75 destinations on scheduled all-cargo flights and offers full and part-charter services. The company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries and operates an extensive global trucking network to more than 250 destinations. With 50 years of experience in the air cargo industry and an extensive product portfolio, Cargolux provides tailored transport solutions for all types of shipments. As a responsible cargo carrier, Cargolux has developed a solid CSR program encompassing Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. The Cargolux Group employs close to 2,500 staff members worldwide.

About lux-airport

Luxembourg Airport is a boutique airport that strives to offer you the quality and standards of a large hub airport with the shortcuts, comfort, and efficiency of a regional one. Luxembourg airport is the only international airport in Luxembourg and the Greater Regions gateway with more than 100 non-stop flight destinations and currently 12 different airlines. Before the pandemic in 2019, passenger numbers were at 4.4 million. Figures are not 100 percent back, but the traffic is recovering, 4.05 million passengers passed through the airport in 2022. Regarding Cargo, Luxembourg airport is one of the major players in Europe, always in the top ten list of Europeans Cargo Airports. In 2022 a total volume of 975,000 tonnes of cargo was handled at Luxembourg Airport. The full freighter airline Cargolux and the national airline Luxair Luxembourg Airlines have their home base at Luxembourg Airport. www.lux-airport.lu 

About World Fuel Services

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, World Fuel Services is a global energy management company involved in providing supply fulfillment, energy procurement advisory services, and transaction and payment management solutions to commercial and industrial customers worldwide. World Fuel Services sells and delivers liquid fuels, natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, and other sustainability solutions to its clients at more than 8,000 locations in more than 200 countries and territories through its Marine, Aviation, and World Kinect Energy Services divisions. For more information, visit www.wfscorp.com or www.world-kinect.com.