DHL Express and TotalEnergies have signed a landmark purchase agreement that will introduce the first use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by DHL Express in France.
This marks a new step in DHL Express's efforts to decarbonize international air transportation of parcels. DHL Express is the first express logistics provider to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), operating from its regional hub. With this pioneering deployment, the company reinforces its leadership in driving the industry's decarbonization, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of its flagship French air hub, a facility recognized for its innovation.
DHL has entered a renewable one-year partnership with TotalEnergies to fuel aircraft departing from its Paris CDG hub with SAF. This initial phase covers 5 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel over the course of one year. The first DHL aircraft powered with SAF takes off today from Paris CDG.
Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations & Aviation at DHL Express, commented: "This latest milestone is part of DHL’s global strategy to decarbonize express transportation and help our customers reduce their transport-related indirect emissions. In 2025, SAF already accounted for 10% of the aviation fuel used across DHL’s own aircraft fleet, positioning our Group as a leader in both logistics and aviation sustainability."
Philippe Prétat, CEO of DHL Express France, added: "Five years ago, the opening of our Paris Charles de Gaulle Hub marked a major milestone in the development of DHL Express in France. Today, the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel at this facility opens a new chapter. By becoming the first express operator to use SAF at Paris CDG Airport, we are demonstrating that world-class international logistics performance and a reduced carbon footprint can go hand in hand. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting French businesses in their global trade activities while contributing to the transformation of our industry."
The introduction of SAF into DHL Express’s air operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle coincides with the fifth anniversary of the DHL Hub at the airport. This milestone further reinforces DHL’s leadership in implementing logistics and environmental innovations in France.
Mathieu Soulas, Director of New Mobilities at TotalEnergies, said: "TotalEnergies is fully committed to supporting the aviation sector in reducing its carbon footprint. Sustainable Aviation Fuels are a key lever for reducing aviation emissions today. They contribute both to our customers’ decarbonization efforts and to the industrial transformation of our refineries. This agreement with DHL strengthens our partnership and reflects our shared determination to accelerate the development and adoption of SAF. SAF represents a genuine growth industry that supports the energy transition of both aviation and industry.
