In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain.

Cheung discusses:

1. Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environmental initiatives into understandable business language for stakeholders and customers.
2. Cathay’s ambitious target of achieving 10% SAF usage by 2030, including their innovative partnership with HSBC Hong Kong and EcoCeres to develop local SAF supply chains in Asia.
3. The evolution of sustainability at Cathay, from early voluntary environmental reporting in 1998 to today’s comprehensive approach involving fleet modernisation, with a HKD100 billion investment in over 100 new aircraft over the next seven years.
4. How cross-industry collaboration in sustainable aviation, particularly through oneworld Alliance and International Air Transport Association (IATA) partnerships, allows airlines to share best practices for environmental progress. Cheung chairs the oneworld alliance Environment & Sustainability Board and is Vice Chair of the IATA Sustainability & Environment Advisory Council.
5. The challenges of funding SAF’s price premium and potential solutions, including government initiatives like Singapore’s SAF levy and Hong Kong’s upcoming SAF usage targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Cathay Pacific 

Cathay sets new 2030 carbon intensity target in support of its 2050 net-zero goal - Cathay Pacific 

HSBC Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific and EcoCeres partner to support SAF use 

Cathay to invest over HKD 100 billion to enhance product and customer experience - ETTravelWorld