As a key driver of low-carbon transformation in aviation, China Eastern Air Holding Co., Ltd. (China Eastern) has made notable progress in the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company is now actively participating in pilot programs for domestically produced SAF.
SAF is an alternative aviation fuel made from renewable resources such as waste animal and plant oils, used cooking oil, energy crops, municipal solid waste, agricultural and forestry residues, and even industrial off-gases. These materials — often considered waste — can be transformed into clean energy that powers aircraft.
Compared with conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 85 percent. Its physical and chemical properties are nearly identical to traditional fuels, making it safe to mix with conventional fuel in aircraft tanks. As a result, SAF can be rapidly adopted by the aviation industry and is widely regarded as the most promising green energy substitute.
China Eastern has closely followed global SAF developments, staying aligned with international policies and striving to be a frontrunner in SAF application.
Back in April 2013, China Eastern completed a landmark flight by fueling an A320 with China’s first domestically developed bio-aviation fuel at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, laying a foundation for future SAF use. On October 12, 2022, in partnership with Airbus, the company carried out the first SAF-powered delivery flight of a new A320neo aircraft from Tianjin, using one of the first batches of SAF from China’s industrial-scale SAF production facilities.
On May 27, 2023, China Eastern completed its first commercial SAF-powered flight — Flight MU2225 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Xi’an Xianyang — using a fuel blend with 15 percent SAF.
On September 19, 2024, China’s civil aviation authorities officially launched the domestic SAF application pilot program, with China Eastern playing a key role. The company achieved a significant milestone by conducting the inaugural SAF-powered commercial flight with the domestically produced C919 aircraft on the same day. During the first phase of the pilot, China Eastern operated four SAF-powered commercial flights daily, assisting with flight data monitoring, green product design, and performance tracking.
Since March 19, the company has entered the second phase of the pilot program, significantly scaling up its SAF usage. In addition, from January 1, all China Eastern flights departing from within the European Union have used jet fuel blended with 2 percent SAF — demonstrating the company’s commitment to green aviation on international routes.
China Eastern’s carbon reduction efforts extend beyond the skies. Through precise flight operation management, the airline has cut emissions at the source. In 2024, it saved 216,000 tons of fuel and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 680,400 tons by optimizing flight routes, promoting single-engine taxiing, and implementing advanced navigation and APU-replacement technologies.
This year, the company launched “online meal selection” and “light travel” services on selected routes. These services enable passengers to pre-select meals, helping reduce food waste and supporting low-carbon flying. The company has also implemented measures to decrease plastic waste on board by introducing biodegradable in-flight items. Its eco-friendly meal boxes, made from materials like wheat straw, rice straw, and bagasse, can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15.64 tons per ton of packaging. By 2035, these boxes are projected to reduce China Eastern’s emissions by about 1 million tons.
The company is also advancing green aviation on the ground. It has invested in and developed 26 types of new-energy airport vehicles and ground equipment, all produced domestically, which are now serving airports across China. In green building initiatives, China Eastern is setting examples with near-zero energy and carbon structures.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
