China Airlines announced on September 14, 2026, that it participated in SkyTeam's "The Aviation Challenge" (TAC) by adding a 40% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to its September 13 flight from Taoyuan to Amsterdam. This represents the carrier's first time using a 40% SAF blend on a long-haul route, and its eighth time incorporating SAF since 2022.
According to China Airlines General Manager Chen Han-ming, the demonstration flight utilized approximately 36.3 tonnes of SAF, which is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 93.2 metric tons. This reduction is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of a quarter of Daan Forest Park or the annual emissions of 40 passenger cars. Chen noted that Amsterdam was chosen because the Netherlands has a mature environment for sustainability initiatives.
In addition to the SAF blend, the flight implemented various other weight reduction and low-carbon measures. China Airlines fully replaced its tableware with lightweight alternatives, achieving a 30% reduction in weight to directly decrease aircraft weight and fuel consumption. Onboard menus and wine lists were printed with eco-friendly soy ink, and the airline partnered with Michelin Green Star restaurant "Little Tree Food" to offer vegetarian meals, while encouraging passengers to use online boarding passes.
Regarding whether the higher cost of SAF would be reflected in ticket prices, Chen explained that SAF has historically cost 2.5 to 3 times more than conventional fuel. He noted that Singapore Airlines has a mature approach in this area. Chen expressed hope that China Airlines can first reach the level of maturity seen in Singapore Airlines before considering whether to follow its practice of reflecting SAF costs in ticket prices.
