Korean Air to Test Sustainable Aviation Fuel on Select International Flights
Korean Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with energy company GS Caltex to test sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on select international flights departing from Seoul Incheon.
The test flights will be analyzed by the Korean government, which will use the results to establish SAF quality standards and accelerate commercialization. The test flights will take place for six months in the second half of 2023.
Both Korean Air and GS Caltex will participate in the government project, which is hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority and the Incheon International Airport will also participate.
The airline will use SAF that meets international quality standards, including American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
In 2022, Korean Air also signed an agreement with Shell to purchase SAF from Shell at major airports in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East for five years starting in 2026.
The airline first trialled the use of SAF in November 2017, between Seoul Incheon and Chicago O’Hare, and has been using SAF on its Paris-Seoul Incheon route since 2022.