Kuehne+Nagel Partners with 14 Global Airlines for Sustainability Initiative in Air Logistics

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(IN BRIEF) Kuehne+Nagel has signed individual MoUs with fourteen global airlines to create a sustainability-focused partnership in the air logistics industry. The collaboration, which spans four continents, will prioritize sustainable aviation fuel, transparency in emissions tracking, and a broader approach to sustainability challenges. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the industry, with plans to expand further and reduce the environmental impact of airfreight.

(PRESS RELEASE) SCHINDELLEGI, 15-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Kuehne+Nagel, a global leader in logistics, is taking a significant step toward a more sustainable future with the launch of its Carrier Engagement Sustainability Programme. As part of this initiative, Kuehne+Nagel has entered into individual Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreements with fourteen leading global airlines to drive forward sustainability initiatives and innovations in the air logistics industry. This partnership, a first of its kind, aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of airfreight and contribute to the overall sustainability of the air transport sector.

The airlines Kuehne+Nagel has collaborated with include major global carriers such as American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France Cargo, KLM Cargo, Atlas Air, Azul, Cargolux, Cathay Cargo, Delta Air Lines, LATAM Airlines Group S.A., Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. These agreements span four continents, significantly expanding Kuehne+Nagel’s global reach in sustainability efforts.

The partnership will focus on several key initiatives:

1. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Decarbonisation: Kuehne+Nagel aims to source and promote the use of SAF, which can cut CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. This will play a central role in reducing the carbon footprint of airfreight.

2. Transparency and Impact Tracking: Kuehne+Nagel and its airline partners will share data to better understand and track emissions, ensuring continuous progress toward sustainability goals.

3. Holistic Sustainability Approach: Beyond reducing emissions, the initiative will tackle broader sustainability challenges in the air logistics sector.

Fabiano Piccinno, Global Head of Sustainability at Kuehne+Nagel’s Air Logistics division, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating: “As an asset-light company, it is essential for us to work closely with our carrier partners to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals. This milestone represents a collective effort to create a more sustainable future for the air logistics industry, benefiting both our customers and the environment.”

These MoUs currently represent about 50% of Kuehne+Nagel’s airfreight emissions (based on 2024 data), with plans to expand the programme further to cover more carriers and their emissions in the future.

About Kuehne+Nagel
With more than 82,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics providers. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel is listed in the Swiss blue-chip stock market index, the SMI. The Group is the global number one in air and sea logistics and has strong market positions in road and contract logistics. Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. Using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights, the Group provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies and industries.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Gillespie
Air Logistics Communications
stephanie.gillespie@kuehne-nagel.com
+41 79 577 94 44

SOURCE: Kuehne+Nagel