Hawaiian Airlines Partners for SAF on Select Osaka-Honolulu Routes
Hawaiian Airlines has recently announced its decision to implement sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its flights connecting Osaka, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawai‘i. This exciting development comes as part of a new partnership between Hawaiian’s parent company, Alaska Air Group, and Cosmo Oil Marketing, a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings, which was revealed on August 29, 2025.
Fuel deliveries have already commenced at Osaka-Kansai International Airport (KIX), marking a significant step for Hawaiian Airlines, which has never used SAF before. The airline states that SAF can reduce life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Alanna James, the Sustainability Innovation Director at Hawaiian Airlines, remarked, “Japan is a crucial international market for us, and we appreciate Cosmo’s investment in locally sourced SAF. This technology will effectively help us reduce our carbon emissions on flights between Osaka and Honolulu.”
Details of the SAF Agreement
The sustainable aviation fuel involved in this agreement was developed after Cosmo obtained a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) subsidy from the Japanese government in 2021. This initiative aimed to create a supply chain model for producing SAF from used cooking oil collected domestically in Japan.
Cosmo Energy Group will be the first in Japan to mass-produce SAF, with the fuel receiving ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU certifications. These credentials are part of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification initiative, which recognizes adherence to global sustainable product standards.
Naoki Takayama, President of Cosmo Oil Marketing, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “SAF is a vital element in our decarbonization strategy and plays a critical role in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. We are thrilled to support the global decarbonization goals of Alaska Airlines and its clientele through our SAF initiatives.”
The fuel supplied to Hawaiian Airlines will be produced by Saffaire Sky Energy, a joint venture involving Cosmo Oil, JGC Holdings, and REVO International. Cosmo Energy Group is committed to creating a supply chain for Japan’s first locally produced SAF, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this mission, they are also spearheading a pilot program to collect used cooking oil from households for conversion into SAF feedstock.
Hawaiian Airlines Advocates for SAF Benefits
In closing, Hawaiian Airlines shared, “With over 90 years of history connecting communities, our goal is to minimize environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future.”
“Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines aspire to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 through investments in SAF, advancements in technology, and modernizing their fleet, among various other initiatives.”
Hawaiian Airlines currently offers daily flights between Honolulu-Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Osaka-Kansai International Airport (KIX), utilizing Airbus A330-200s that can carry 278 passengers in a two-class configuration.
