Kuehne+Nagel and IAG Cargo complete first ‘net zero’ carbon charter chain

K+N and IAG Cargo have partnered to complete a chain of 16 charter flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta fully carbon neutral. 

The flights were able to go ahead after the companies secured 1.2 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, (SAF), first time ever such a charter chain has been operated using ‘net zero’ carbon emissions.

The final British Airways B787-900 flight of the charter, left Stuttgart with an average of 45 tonnes of automotive spares and other industrial goods from shippers destined for Atlanta.

Since it began its charter service last year, Kuehne+Nagel has now completed more than 300 charters – all carbon neutral either by offsetting or through the use of alternative fuel.

As SAF still produces some CO2 emissions, complete carbon neutrality was achieved by substituting each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.25 litres of SAF.

The move to more sustainable aviation fuel is a result of growing customer demand for more environmentally ethical business practices.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics said: “Climate change has now given new urgency to the search for clean, renewable fuels as they are currently the most effective measure to achieve true decarbonisation in our industry. Kuehne+Nagel is committed to increase its supply of SAF as part of our ambitious Net Zero Carbon programme.”

John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo added: “International Airlines Group was the first European airline group to commit to powering 10 per cent of its flights with sustainable fuel by 2030. These charters mark IAG Cargo’s first step on that journey – I’m incredibly proud of our commitment to long-term sustainability, helping to reduce carbon production overall.”