Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and its airfreight arm, Swiss WorldCargo, have entered a partnership with logistics giant, Kuehne+Nagel, to advance more sustainable air transportation. The collaboration focuses on supporting Swiss clean-tech company, Synhelion, which produces synthetic aviation fuel (SAF) using solar technology. Both partners have committed to long-term purchases of Synhelion’s fuel, providing vital support for scaling up production and commercialization.
Through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding, SWISS and Kuehne+Nagel plan to cooperate on various sustainability projects aimed at reducing aviation’s environmental impact. A cornerstone of their partnership is the joint promotion and integration of sustainable fuels into air transport. As part of the agreement, SWISS will buy at least 200 tons of Synhelion SAF annually, a portion of which will be supplied to Kuehne+Nagel.
Starting in 2027, Kuehne+Nagel will use this fuel for its airfreight operations with Swiss WorldCargo over a five-year period, supporting the decarbonization of global logistics and helping its customers reduce emissions. The initiative complements SWISS’s broader efforts to cut CO₂ emissions through fuel-efficient aircraft, sustainable fuel development, and strategic industry partnerships aimed at making aviation more climate-friendly.
SWISS CEO, Jens Fehlinger, explained: “Sustainable aviation fuels are a key element in our endeavors to make air transportation more sustainable. These fuels are still expensive and in short supply, however, which is why we need strong partners to help further their development. We’re delighted that, together with Kuehne+Nagel, we can now initiate the first commercial supplies of Synhelion’s synthetic fuel. This is a major step forward, and a clear confirmation of the active role that SWISS aims to play in this vital area.”
Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board responsible for Air Logistics, said: “To meet the aviation industry’s climate targets, we must scale the production of synthetic SAF. At Kuehne+Nagel, we are taking the lead by partnering with SWISS and Synhelion, to accelerate these technologies, making them economically viable. With it, we can offer our customers the opportunity to reduce their environmental footprint with this innovative technology.”
