The DHL Group has expanded its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) collaboration with IAG Cargo to enable more of the fuel to be used at Heathrow Airport (LHR).
This five-year agreement between DHL and the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), together with a previous 2025 renewal, will enable approximately 240m liters of SAF to be uplifted at LHR and reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of DHL Express cargo transported on British Airways flights.
DHL Express will receive the Scope 3 emissions reductions from approximately 40m litres of neat SAF per year, which, together with the 2025 renewal, represents a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 640,000 tonnes of CO₂e, said the companies.
It covers nearly all of the fuel currently attributed to transporting DHL Express cargo within IAG Cargo’s network.
The SAF used in this collaboration is certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and derived from sources such as used cooking oil.
Use of the SAF is expected to achieve approximately 90% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to the fossil jet fuel it replaces.
The collaboration will be supported by a further framework agreement between DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) and IAG Cargo, strengthening the Group’s cross‑divisional strategy to secure reliable and diversified access to sustainable fuels.
This expanded DGF framework could increase the total volume across the DHL Group to over 1m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reductions on a lifecycle basis.
“This agreement shows what is possible when two committed SAF users in the industry pool their efforts,” said Travis Cobb, executive vice president, global network operations & aviation at DHL Express.
“It significantly expands our ability to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions on a major trade lane and demonstrates how cross‑sector partnerships can contribute towards concrete lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions.”
Camilo Garcia Cervera, chief sales and marketing officer at IAG Cargo, said: “DHL and IAG Cargo have a longstanding relationship, and it’s great to see our partnership continue to grow as we work together to deliver more sustainable air freight solutions while we keep global trade moving. Partnerships like these will be critical to scaling the use of sustainable aviation fuel.”
The agreements support DHL’s goal of increasing the share of SAF in air transport to 30% by 2030, a central element of the company’s broader sustainability commitment.
