Singapore Airlines and Cathay sign MOU to collaborate on future sustainability initiatives

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - ‎‎‎‎‎February 8, 2020 : Air Cargo Container And Airplanes In Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN-VVTS).

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has reaffirmed itself as an industry leader in the sustainability space signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a broad range of sustainability initiatives with Cathay Pacific.

The collective efforts are aimed at advocating for the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Asia-Pacific region, a critical decarbonisation lever for the sector, and sharing best practices to boost sustainability performance.

The news follows the delivery of 1,000 tonnes of SAF to Singapore Airlines from NESTE’s Singapore refinery.

Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup

The MoU was signed by Cathay group CEO Ronald Lam and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on the sidelines of the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit.

The agreement, which focuses on two key areas, underscores both carriers’ commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and affirms their aspiration to help drive sustainability changes in the airline industry.

Both carriers advocate for the greater use of SAF in the Asia-Pacific region.

Initiatives in this area include raising public awareness about SAF’s critical role in decarbonising aviation, advocating for supportive policies in the region, and promoting the creation of a standard global accounting and reporting framework to ensure the transparency and verifiability of emission reductions from the use of the fuel.

The airlines will also explore potential opportunities for joint procurement of SAF at selected location in a bid to boost SAF production and support its wider adoption in the airline industry.

The second area of focus will be the exchange of best practices to reduce single-use plastics, minimise waste, and improve energy efficiency in ground and cargo operations. In doing so, both airlines will improve their sustainability performance, and speed up the development and implementation of sustainable solutions in their operations.

“Singapore Airlines is committed to embedding sustainability in all aspects of our operations,” Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said.

“At the same time, we recognise that we cannot achieve our targets alone.

“Our partnership with Cathay signifies our mutual ambition to enhance collaboration in sustainability initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Together we are helping to set the foundation for a more sustainable aviation industry, and ensure that future generations continue to reap the benefits of air travel.”

“As part of our collaborative ethos of ‘Greener Together’, we actively seek like-minded industry leaders for strategic partnerships in transitioning to sustainable aviation,” Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam said.

“Our collaboration with Singapore Airlines aims to accelerate and support the development of the SAF supply chain in the region, fostering a reliable SAF ecosystem to enable the industry to achieve its long-term decarbonisation goals.

“Cathay was one of the first airlines in Asia to set a target of 10% SAF for its total fuel consumption by 2030, and we are undertaking a multi-pronged approach to contribute to the aviation industry’s transition towards a greener future.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Delta marks 15 years of travel to Australia on US Independence Day

This July marks 15 years since Delta Air Lines began flying between Sydney and Los Angeles. To mark the occasion, Delta Air Lines had a small activation at their check in counter at Sydney Airport on Thursday July 4 – Independence Day in the US. Passengers were greeted with red, white and blue balloons as […]

  • Events
  • Health & Wellness

Boxing camp with world champion boxers at COMO Uma Canggu

COMO Uma Canggu has invited boxing enthusiasts to an intensive six-day boxing camp, led by world champion boxers Darren Barker and Ryan Pickard, this October. Participants will master the fundamentals of boxing, improve their self-defence skills, and transform their fitness regimen. Under the expert guidance of world-class boxers, attendees will undergo a variety of workouts […]

  • Cruise

Travelmarvel unveils its Europe Coastal Cruising 2025 lineup

Travelmarvel has revealed its 2025 Europe Coastal Cruising program and introduces 13 itineraries that include two extended combination journeys. The MS Caledonian Sky also makes its grand return the APT family. Renowned for its intimate cruising experience, the vessel accommodates an average of 100 passengers with a crew of 70. It features one of the highest […]

  • Tour Operators

Anderson’s Tours named top experience in Australia

Anderson’s Tours has, for the second time, achieved the top spot as the No. 1 Experience in Australia at TripAdvisors Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024. The family-owned and operated touring company takes pride in showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains and provide guests with professional, local tour […]

  • Destinations

Queenstown welcomes fresh snow dump for school holidays

The spectacular mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand, have been blanketed by snow – as much as 50cm in 48 hours – providing the perfect winter vacation for the entire family. All four of the region’s ski areas are now open with The Remarkables having recorded 70cm of snow already this season while Cardrona Alpine Resort […]

  • Hotels

Sheraton Samoe Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows’ soft reopening

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts iconic grand jewel on Apia Harbour, Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows reopen following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The property will reopen in a phased manner with 56 of its 175 rooms, suites and bungalows now available for bookings. The grand opening of the hotel is expected to be in […]

  • Technology

Commonwealth Bank offers new Travel Booking service via its app

Commonwealth Bank is offering a new Travel Booking service via its CommBank app, which allows more than 6 million eligible customers to search, book and pay for flights and hotels from hundreds of airlines and hundreds of thousands of hotels. The new CommBank digital experience is powered by global online travel agency Hopper, already used […]

  • Aviation

Lufthansa Group gets green light to take major stake in ITA Airways

The European Commission has approved Lufthansa Group’s proposition to take a 41 per cent stake in ITA Airways following an investigation by EU antitrust regulators. The deal which was first announced in May last year will see Lufthansa pay 325 million Euro to take the remaining shares in 2025. Both Lufthansa and ITA have previously […]

  • Aviation

Vietjet’s two new routes to South Korea and China

Vietjet has announced the commencement of two new routes, expanding its network in both South Korea and China. The new routes include Nha Trang-Daegu in South Korea and Ho Chi Minh City-Xi’an in China. The new route connecting Vietnam’s coastal city of Nha Trang with Daegu, a major city located in southeastern South Korea, is […]

  • Destinations

Istanbul in a heartbeat

Istanbul offers an unparalleled blend of history, culture, and... Chaos.

  • Hotels

Angsana to launch first island resort in Vietnam’s Bai Tu Long Bay

Banyan Group’s subsidiary Angsana has announced the opening of Angsana Quan Lan, a 156-room and suite luxury offering with stunning views of the Gulf of Tonkin. Guests can enjoy dining at three distinct venues and unwind at Angsana Spa, as well as the brand’s signature ‘101 Things To Do’ that celebrate Vietnam’s coastal charm. The […]

  • Cruise

Hurtigruten’s SeaZero wins prestigious award

Hurtigruten’s SeaZero project has won the award for Best Concept Ship Design at the prestigious Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards 2024 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. The first rendering of the project was released a year ago with a goal to create the world’s most energy-efficient ship. Announced in 2021, the project is currently […]