Cathay Pacific partners on SAF with Sinopec

Cathay Pacific announced it has entered into an agreement with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to refuel some of its flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced and blended with conventional aviation fuel by Sinopec, demonstrating the expanding reach of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland in the global SAF supply chain. The airline uplifted a batch of SAF produced by the Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company (ZRCC) at Hong Kong International Airport in April. ZRCC is one of the leading SAF manufacturers in Asia to independently develop bio-jet fuel technology. This batch of SAF was converted from used cooking oil using the hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway. As part of the first batch of SAF exported by ZRCC to Hong Kong, it has been certified by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) that it can reduce the lifecycle carbon emissions by about 80%, compared with conventional jet fuel. SAF is an alternative aviation fuel produced from waste materials or other non-fossil carbon sources. As demonstrated by this batch, SAF has the potential to significantly lower its lifecycle carbon emissions as compared with fossil fuels, helping address the environmental impact of passenger and cargo air transport. This agreement with Sinopec demonstrates the potential for further cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong in the SAF supply chain. Cathay General Manager Sustainability Grace Cheung said: “Our purchase and use of SAF products from ZRCC goes beyond just a fuel uplift; it marks our initiative to expand the upstream and downstream value chain of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland. Through cooperation with Sinopec, we hope to support greater adoption of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.” Last year, Cathay Pacific also adopted two batches of SAF from the Chinese Mainland, which were uplifted at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and London Heathrow Airport respectively. In recent years, the production and adoption of SAF has gained momentum across Asia. Cathay Pacific is working closely with different partners with the aim to expand the use of SAF in Asia. In March 2025, Cathay Pacific reached an agreement with fuel supplier SK Energy, which will supply SAF to Cathay Pacific from 2025 to 2027 in South Korea. At the same time, Cathay Pacific will continue to draw on its own experience to support Hong Kong to scale up SAF usage with supportive policy, in order to further strengthen Hong Kong International Airport’s status as a leading international aviation hub. Cathay Pacific introduces ‘Chinese Classics’ for Business Class customers (PHOTO: Cathay) Cathay Pacific announced it was introducing its new “Chinese Classics” dining offerings inspired by the Eight Great Cuisines of China for its Business class customers. The new “Chinese Classics” menu seeks to provide a diverse culinary experience for customers. As the cornerstone of Chinese culinary culture, the Eight Great Cuisines of China embody the diversity and storied traditions of Chinese food. The “Chinese Classics” menu encompasses dishes from Sichuan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, Anhui and Hunan, redefining inflight dining with innovative concepts and exceptional quality. To meet the unique demands of inflight catering, Cathay’s culinary team conducted thorough research on the flavour profiles, ingredients, cooking techniques and cultural heritage of these regional cuisines. The team carefully curated the ingredients and refined cooking methods to ensure that the dishes retain their authentic flavours and visual appeal at high altitudes. The new menu adheres to rigorous quality control standards and embodies the wisdom of Chinese culinary traditions, providing customers from all over the world with an immersive experience that fosters a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.Cathay Director Customer Travel Erica Peng said: “Our ‘Chinese Classics’ menu complements our already popular ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ and ‘International Favourites’ options, showcasing rich Chinese cultural heritage to all our customers. These dining offerings are meticulously crafted, vibrant in both flavour and presentation. We hope that these iconic dishes can offer our customers a taste of home and warm their hearts whenever, wherever they fly with us.” From April 2025, Cathay Pacific has progressively introduced its “Chinese Classics” offerings in its Business class cabin, debuting on selected outbound flights from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland. The menu features a new dish each month, bringing fresh and authentic Chinese flavours to customers from around the world. The airline plans to introduce dishes from Sichuan, Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang this year, with a complete rollout of the eight regional cuisines expected in 2026. Additionally, the offerings will be progressively extended to other routes and cabins. To promote cultural exchange, Cathay Pacific will be releasing a three-part documentary series in July, enabling customers to better understand the heritage and craftsmanship of Chinese culinary culture by exploring the design concepts, cultural roots and creative process behind the dishes. Meanwhile, the “Hong Kong Flavours” menu has been introduced across all Cathay Pacific cabins and in selected lounges, with special Chinese wines and teas also available inflight to create a multi-layered experience. In addition to showcasing international culinary delights, the airline also continues to enhance its services and products, as part of its efforts to reinforce its inflight dining expertise through innovation and become the world’s best premium airline. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]