Taiwanese carrier China Airlines (CAL) said Wednesday it will pay employees year-end bonuses worth five months of their salary, plus a one-time cash reward of NT$20,000 (US$643) and an average salary increase of 4% in 2024. The wage plan was approved at a board meeting Wednesday, the company said in a statement. CAL's consolidated sales reached nearly NT$184.82b in 2023, up 22.62% year-on-year, according to company data. Thanks to significant increases in revenue fueled by the demand for post-COVID-19 air travel, several other carriers have also announced salary increases and other forms of remuneration for employees. EVA Airways (EVA Air) said in late December that it will pay employees year-end bonuses equal to six months' salary, the highest since the company was founded, as well as a mid-year bonus in 2024.<br/>
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Korean Air Lines announced on Wednesday that it inked a partnership agreement with Japanese global logistics company Yusen Logistics for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cooperation program. Both companies have committed to promoting the use of SAF within the Asian region and participating in the aviation logistics industry’s efforts to address climate change. Korean Air’s collaboration with Yusen is its first partnership with a Japanese freight forwarder. SAF is an aviation fuel made from eco-friendly sources such as used cooking oil as well as non-fossil resources including plant oils, algae, and urban waste gases. Although SAF costs 2 to 5 times more than conventional aviation fuel, it can reduce carbon emissions by over 80%. The European Union plans to mandate the use of SAF for aircraft operating in local airports starting in 2025. France has already enforced blending 1% SAF for airlines refueling at local airports since 2022, while the United States provides tax incentives to encourage global adoption.<br/>