Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) has launched a pioneering sustainability programmed at deepening its collaboration with airline partners to drive environmental innovation in air logistics.
Under the initiative, the global freight forwarder has inked a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with 14 major airlines, marking what it describes as a first-ofits-kind alliance within the airfreight sector. The goal is to collectively advance sustainable practices and reduce the environmental footprint of air cargo operations.
The participating airlines include American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France Cargo and KLM Cargo, Atlas Air, Azul, Cargolux, Cathay Cargo, Delta Air Lines, LATAM Airlines Group, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines.
K+N stated that the collaboration will center around three key pillars:
1. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Decarbonization: Promoting the use of SAF and implementing other carbon-reduction strategies across the airfreight value chain.
2. Transparency & Tracking: Establishing regular data-sharing protocols to enhance emissions reporting, monitor decarbonization progress, and evaluate the overall impact of the program beyond just CO₂ metrics.
3. Holistic Sustainability Approach: Tackling wider sustainability challenges through collective innovation and broader environmental initiatives.
Fabiano Piccinno, K+N’s Global Head of Sustainability for Air Logistics, emphasized the significance of the initiative. “As an asset-light company, it is essential for us to collaborate closely with our carrier partners to meet our ambitious science-based targets. These MOUs mark a major milestone—not just for K+N, but for the air logistics industry as a whole. We’re excited about the positive ripple effects this will have, particularly for our customers.”
At present, the 14 airline partners account for around 50% of K+N’s total airfreight emissions in 2024. As noted by the company, it intends to expand its sustainability programurther and bring in more carriers on board in a bid to broaden its emissions coverage and amplify sustainability outcomes across the sector.
