Air France KLM Martinair Cargo signed 13 Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreements for 2026 with partners at Air Cargo China, in the clearest signal yet that air cargo decarbonisation is moving from airline-led initiatives to a shared investment model across the value chain.

Each agreement contributes to expanding alternative aviation fuel use while supporting industry-wide emissions reduction efforts — and collectively they mark a commercial shift in how SAF is bought and sold.

Rather than relying solely on carrier investment, adoption is increasingly driven through shared commitments among airlines, forwarders and shippers. As sustainability weighs more heavily in procurement decisions, collaborative investment models are building the commercial momentum needed to scale SAF use.

Who is paying for SAF now?

Forwarders have moved from passive intermediaries to active SAF partners, according to Thomas Diderich, Director Greater China at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

"Forwarders are increasingly becoming active partners in SAF adoption rather than simply acting as intermediaries. Many are aggregating customer demand, educating shippers and integrating SAF into their own sustainability offerings. This helps create the scale needed to stimulate SAF uptake," Diderich said.

Financial participation still varies by market and customer segment. But the direction of travel is unmistakable, he added: "The trend is clearly towards greater collaboration across the supply chain, with airlines, forwarders and shippers all sharing responsibility for accelerating decarbonisation."

For shippers, the commercial implication is direct — SAF cost-sharing is becoming embedded in procurement, meaning sustainability credentials will increasingly influence contract terms rather than sit apart from them.

Where are the quick efficiency wins?

While SAF anchors aviation's long-term emissions strategy, weight optimisation is delivering measurable gains today. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has rolled out:

• Lightweight ULD nets cutting roughly 20 kg per net
• Progressive investment in lighter ULDs saving approximately 25 kg per unit
• Lightweight cardboard beams replacing traditional wooden alternatives where operationally suitable

These small changes compound across thousands of flights, lowering fuel consumption without compromising operational integrity.

The same logic now extends to ground handling. Safety and operational performance remain the primary supplier measures, but sustainability credentials increasingly influence evaluations — electric ground support equipment, renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, recycling programmes and LED lighting are all entering partnership assessments.

"Ground handling contributes to emissions reduction primarily through operational efficiency and weight optimisation. Every kilogram removed from the aircraft contributes to lower fuel consumption over time. All weight-saving initiatives must meet the highest safety standards because safety always remains our first priority," Diderich stated.

He characterised ground handlers' role as supportive rather than direct on airline decarbonisation targets — a complement to fleet renewal, SAF and operational improvements, not a substitute.

Can digitalisation fix uneven standards?

Digitalisation is becoming the sector's most valuable operational tool, improving forecasting, shipment visibility and planning across increasingly complex supply chains. Better data quality enables earlier identification of potential disruption and more proactive decision-making as operators manage tighter schedules and rising customer expectations.

The transformation remains uneven, though. Inconsistent standards across airlines, forwarders, ground handlers and regulators still limit the full operational value of shared information.

Cargo hubs also continue to face infrastructure constraints, labour shortages and growing regulatory complexity. Those structural pressures push the emphasis toward process optimisation rather than physical expansion.

"Digitalisation is already improving forecasting, shipment visibility and planning across the cargo supply chain. Better data quality enables earlier identification of potential disruptions and supports more proactive decision-making. The full operational benefits will only be realised once digital standards are consistently adopted across all stakeholders," Diderich observed.

Paper-based documentation remains one of the biggest gaps. "Greater adoption of digital document flows would reduce administrative effort, minimise delays and improve data quality throughout the supply chain. Accelerating digital standardisation would deliver both operational and environmental benefits," he concluded.

With 13 SAF agreements locked in for 2026 and weight-saving and digital programmes running in parallel, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is positioning shared decarbonisation investment — not standalone carrier spending — as the model the air cargo value chain will increasingly be measured against.