Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) and IAG Cargo announced completion of a chain of 16 charter flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta fully carbon neutral after securing initial 1.2 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

In a statement, the firms said this collaboration marks the first time that such a charter chain is operated with net zero carbon emissions. The entire project utilised aircraft primarily suited for passenger travel, but temporarily operated in support of cargo.

The last of the British Airways B787-900 flights left Stuttgart on June 26 with an average of 45 tonnes of automotive spares and other industrial goods from shippers bound for Atlanta.

Since it began its charter service last year, Kuehne+Nagel noted that it has now completed more than 300 charters — all carbon neutral either via offsetting or use of alternative fuel.

Since SAF still produces some CO2 emissions, K+N noted that to achieve complete carbon neutrality, it substituted each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.25 litres of SAF.

Kuehne+Nagel said it is proactively expanding its sustainable services portfolio to answer growing customer demand for environmentally friendly logistics.

Yngve Ruud, member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel, noted that Kuehne+Nagel is committed to increase its supply of SAF as part of the firm's ambitious Net Zero Carbon programme.

John Cheetham, chief commercial officer at IAG Cargo, for his part said: "International Airlines Group was the first European airline group to commit to powering 10% of its flights with sustainable fuel by 2030. These charters mark IAG Cargo’s first step on that journey."

SAF is currently the most effective measure to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of shipping.