Kuehne+Nagel and IAG Cargo completed a chain of 16 charter flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta fully carbon neutral after securing initial 1.2 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
This collaboration marks the first time ever that such a charter chain is operated with net zero carbon emissions. The entire project utilised aircraft primarily suited for passenger travel, but temporarily operated in support of cargo.
The last of the British Airways B787-900 flights left Stuttgart on June 26 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 via offsetting or 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. Offering this solution from Stuttgart airport, the initiative highlights the importance of joint efforts for making sustainable transportation choices and possibilities available at close-by airports to local and global industry players avoiding further emissions through trucking goods into major hubs.
