Cathay Pacific Reports Continued Progress on Sustainability Goals with Strategic Investments in SAF and Circular Operations

(IN SHORT) Cathay Pacific’s Sustainability Report 2025 highlights steady progress across its key sustainability priorities, including decarbonisation, circular resource use, and community engagement. The airline has strengthened its role in developing the sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem through investments and partnerships, while significantly expanding its Corporate SAF Programme. It has also made measurable progress in reducing single-use plastics and increasing recycling rates across its operations. In addition to environmental initiatives, Cathay continues to invest in youth development, cultural partnerships, and workforce inclusion through programmes such as “I Can Fly” and Belonging@Cathay. The report reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the aviation industry’s long-term sustainability goals while delivering broader social impact.

(PRESS RELEASE) HONG KONG, 2026-Apr-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Cathay Pacific has released its Sustainability Report 2025, outlining continued progress across its environmental, social, and operational priorities while reinforcing its commitment to the aviation sector’s long-term decarbonisation goals.

The report highlights a year marked by ongoing investment and collaboration, as the company advances initiatives spanning sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), waste reduction, and community engagement. The publication also coincides with a milestone year for Cathay as it celebrates 80 years of operations in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam emphasised that sustainability remains central to the company’s long-term strategy. He noted that Cathay is actively working with partners across the aviation value chain to accelerate progress in areas such as SAF adoption and circular resource use, while continuing to support its workforce and the communities it serves.

A key focus of the report is Cathay’s role in supporting the development of the SAF ecosystem. The company has participated as a launch investor in the US$150 million oneworld BEV Fund and has entered into a co-investment agreement with Airbus valued at up to US$70 million. These initiatives are intended to advance next-generation SAF technologies while also enabling more immediate supply solutions. Additionally, Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme expanded significantly, now involving 17 international partners and achieving nearly a 180% increase in committed SAF usage compared to the previous year.

The report also outlines progress in reducing single-use plastics (SUP). In 2025, the company reduced the average number of passenger-facing SUP items to 1.7 per passenger, with a target of 1.5 items expected by mid-2026. Alongside reduction efforts, Cathay has increased the use of recycled materials, ensuring that at least half of the remaining SUP items are sourced from recycled plastics. The airline has also expanded its inflight water bottle recycling programme to include Hong Kong and eight additional airports, raising the overall recycling rate to 21%.

Beyond environmental initiatives, Cathay continues to invest in social impact programmes and workforce development. Its flagship youth initiative, “I Can Fly,” was refreshed in 2025 to focus on education and exploration, engaging more than 1,550 students. The company also strengthened its partnerships with key cultural and sports institutions, including Kai Tak Sports Park and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, supporting broader community engagement in Hong Kong.

Internally, Cathay has enhanced its approach to diversity and inclusion with the introduction of Belonging@Cathay, a framework designed to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into a unified strategy.

Through these initiatives, Cathay continues to position itself as an active contributor to sustainable aviation, balancing environmental responsibility with operational performance and community engagement.

The full Sustainability Report 2025 detailing Cathay’s sustainability progress is available here.

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SOURCE: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited