DHL Express Commences the Use of Japan-Produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel Departing From Central Japan International Airport

• The flight departed on May 23, 2025 from Central Japan International Airport
• The Central Japan International Airport will continue to supply the SAF to DHL Express international flights
• DHL Express is participating in the “SAF Supply Chain originating from Centrair” initiative together with the airport, local communities, and businesses

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has begun using sustainable aviation fuel produced in Japan on its international air cargo flight for the first time in Japan departing from Central Japan International Airport. This follows the SAF deal signed in January 2025, where DHL Express agreed to procure 7.2 million liters of SAF produced in Japan by Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.

A commemorative ceremony was held today at Central Japan International Airport to mark the launch of the local SAF supply chain in Chubu called“SAF Supply Chain originating from Centrair” by Central Japan International Airport. DHL Express is part of this regional effort to promote a more sustainable aviation industry in close partnership with local communities involved in waste oil collection.

The ceremony was attended by Aichi Prefecture Governor Ohmura and other local government leaders, as well as other partner companies involved in the production of domestically produced SAF.

“SAF Supply Chain originating from Centrair” is an initiative by Central Japan International Airport aimed at building a supply chain for SAF that is sourced and produced locally. One of the sources for the SAF is waste oil collected from the Aichi prefecture.

Tony Khan, President and Representative Director of DHL Express Japan said, “We are very pleased to announce that we are now using SAF produced in Japan for our international flights.  As part of Strategy 2030, alternative fuels are a key element in our New Energy Growth initiative. The Group is continuously investing in the use of alternative fuels such as SAF, and it has given us insights and understanding of the end-to-end value chain that will aid in our participation in the regional initiative “SAF Supply Chain originating from Centrair”. We will go beyond simply procuring sustainable aviation fuel and collaborate with aviation authorities and industry partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in air transport logistics.”

Mr. Riki Inuzuka, President & CEO of Central Japan International Airport said, “We are delighted to celebrate this historic day together with Governor Ohmura, relevant local governments, and related companies, when domestically produced SAF is supplied to DHL cargo aircraft for the first time at Centrair. Thanks to the efforts of DHL, the “SAF supply chain originating from Centrair” has been established. Going forward, we will continue to strive to operate the airport in a manner that contributes to the environment and the local community, in collaboration with various stakeholders, as a sustainable aviation and logistics infrastructure.

Aichi Governor Hideaki Ohmura stated, “I feel that it is highly significant that this new challenge of supplying domestically produced SAF to cargo flights for the first time in Japan is beginning here in Aichi Prefecture. An energy supply system that utilizes unused local resources and promotes local production for local consumption is environmentally friendly and will be a major force in supporting the future of the region. We will continue to work toward expanding this initiative throughout the prefecture, collaborating with local companies and municipalities, and striving to realize a sustainable society.”

DHL Express will use 7.2 million liters of made-in-Japan SAF procured under a contract signed in January this year with Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd. for cargo flights departing from Central Japan International Airport.  Domestically produced SAF is manufactured by Saffaire Sky Energy, LLC, a joint venture established by Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., JGC Holdings Corporation, and Revo International Inc. The manufacturing plant is located within the premises of Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.'s Sakai Refinery (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture), which began full-scale operations in April 2025.

Concept diagram of  “SAF Supply Chain out of Centrair”

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at DHL Express

DHL Express is aligned to DHL Group’s goal of achieving net-zero logistics-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition to promoting the electrification of pick-up and delivery vehicles globally, utilizing SAF in air transportation, and designing carbon-neutral facilities, DHL Express launched GoGreen Plus in 2023. This service is the industry’s first international air shipping solution that allows customers to reduce their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions footprint through the use of SAF. In Japan, more than 8,200 customers have onboarded the GoGreen Plus service.

DHL Express has signed some of the largest contracts in the industry to procure Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This includes the agreements with bp and Neste in 2022, and with World Energy in 2023. In January 2025, DHL Express signed the contract with Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd. in Japan, marking the company’s first SAF procurement in Asia.

For more details about GoGreen Plus, please check: https://www.dhl.com/discover/ja-jp/logistics-advice/sustainability-and-green-logistics/gogreen-plus