Kuehne+Nagel delivers world’s 1st transatlantic shipment transported on a 100% SAF-powered flight

Photo: Kuehne+Nagel

The world’s first 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline successfully landed at New York JFK Nov. 28 after its departure from London Heathrow.

Kuehne+Nagel, a leader in sustainable logistics, actively engages in projects that encourage and promote the use of sustainable fuels within the logistics sector.

As part of its efforts, Kuehne+Nagel secured the available cargo space on this SAF-powered flight and utilized the corresponding amount of SAF for the transported goods.

“This is a historic moment in our collective journey towards sustainable aviation and we are very proud to represent the air-cargo industry on the world’s first 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel transatlantic flight by a commercial airline,” said Yngve Ruud, a member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for air logistics. “It is an honor to support this Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, pushing the boundaries of decarbonization in aviation.”

Kuehne+Nagel said it is committed to the science-based targets to decarbonize the logistics sector and drive the change towards a zero-carbon future.

This flight represents the next step in sustainable aviation by demonstrating the potential of using SAF as a 100 percent drop-in replacement for fossil fuel.

The Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, jointly funded by the U.K. Department for Transport, includes Rolls-Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute.

The SAF used to power the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is produced by hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and synthetic aromatic kerosine (SAK) at an 88 percent SAF and 12 percent SAK blend ratio.