29 Jan 2026
#4 January 2026: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Cathay Welcomes Peking University Study on Scaling SAF in China
Cathay welcomed the release of Igniting the SAF Market: Policy Pathways for Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel in China, a study published by Peking University’s National School of Development. The research outlines policy and market measures to accelerate SAF adoption in the Chinese Mainland, examining supply and demand challenges while benchmarking global best practices. The study highlights China’s feedstock and manufacturing advantages and identifies the Power-to-Liquid pathway as having the greatest long-term cost reduction potential. With appropriate policy support, the report projects that locally produced SAF could reach price parity with conventional jet fuel, including carbon costs, once cumulative production reaches 1.6 million tonnes. Cathay stated the findings support commercially viable SAF deployment and align with global aviation decarbonisation goals.
CDB Aviation Participates in Irish Prime Minister’s Official Visit to China
CDB Aviation participated in the official visit of Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin to China in early January 2026, which focused on strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The visit included engagements with Chinese and Irish businesses across key sectors, including aviation, financial services, and technology. CDB Aviation CEO Jie Chen and Head of Commercial for Greater China Michelle Wu attended a business dinner hosted by the Irish Prime Minister and the Irish Ambassador to China in Beijing. The engagement highlighted the role of aviation finance in supporting the Ireland–China strategic partnership.
Acumen’s Take
On Cathay and the SAF Policy Study
The Peking University study reinforces the importance of policy-led market frameworks to scale SAF production in China. Cathay’s endorsement signals growing airline alignment around long-term SAF affordability and the need for coordinated supply-side investment.
On CDB Aviation’s Participation in Ireland–China Engagements
CDB Aviation’s presence during the Irish Prime Minister’s visit underscores aviation leasing as a strategic bridge between Ireland and China. Continued engagement at this level supports long-term capital flows and fleet financing cooperation between the two markets.
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