<![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://news.klm.com/ en Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:53:32 +0200 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:33:07 +0100 <![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_162.jpg https://news.klm.com/ 144 Intercontinental KLM Flight for The Aviation Challenge to Singapore https://news.klm.com/intercontinental-klm-flight-for-the-aviation-challenge-to-singapore/ https://news.klm.com/intercontinental-klm-flight-for-the-aviation-challenge-to-singapore/675126Yesterday, a KLM flight departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Singapore as part of The Aviation Challenge. This challenge is initiated by SkyTeam and dares airlines to conduct their operations as efficiently and with as little environmental impact as possible. The results of these tests are shared among the participating airlines, with the aim of sharing knowledge and helping the airlines carry out their activities with a lower environmental impact.

]]>KLM acknowledges its impact on the environment and climate and sees that there are limits to what our planet can handle. Action is needed to operate within these limits. By testing various innovations during flight operations and on board, KLM evaluates their outcomes with the goal of scaling them up and implementing them as standard practices.

Before the flight
Both during preparation and during the flight, KLM tested various initiatives. In terms of cargo transport, KLM hopes to eventually replace all cargo pallets with lightweight cardboard alternatives. This change saves 150kg of material per flight needed for cargo transport. KLM hopes to save nearly 0.05% CO2 (6 kilotons) annually through this measure (Scope 1 and 3). Additionally, as many electric ground processes as possible are used, and the aircraft is towed to the runway, saving 400 kg of fuel. This tests how it works to tow an aircraft further towards the runway in an operational environment so that the engines can start later.

Optimization of loading weight can also help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. By distributing the weight on board as optimally as possible, a small lift under the nose is created, resulting in less air resistance and thus a more efficient flight.

Passengers in World Business Class are asked to pre-order their meals. This helps KLM to take exactly the amount of food needed for the flight on board, reducing food waste. Passengers are also encouraged to pack lightly.

KLM has also started advising passengers not to print their boarding passes. This has led to an 84% reduction in printed boarding passes since May 2024.

Onboard initiatives
During the flight, lighter tableware is used in World Business Class, a result of the Challenge in 2022. This saves 5 kg per flight, resulting in an annual saving of 150 tons of CO2 emissions for the entire KLM fleet. Additionally, World Business Class passengers receive a lighter 3D-printed KLM house instead of the regular porcelain KLM houses.

Passengers can also purchase alternative fuel (SAF) onboard the flight, which is normally only available beforehand. The SAF purchased additionally is not on the flight to Singapore but will be used by KLM later. The cabin crew wears a new uniform made from more sustainable fabric from recycled PET and with more stretch, providing more comfort while working on board. The cabin crew also wears the previously implemented KLM sneakers from Filling Pieces.

The Aviation Challenge
The Aviation Challenge is inspired by the historic World’s Greatest Air Race, which ran from London to Melbourne in 1934. The race aimed to make the world more accessible and connect people. Today, the challenges for aviation are no longer in bridging distances but in making operations more sustainable. SkyTeam challenges the participating airlines to conduct regular, commercial flights with as little environmental impact as possible.

]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:31:24 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/2cb4f300-1bad-4110-ab21-377371bf085b/500_aviationchallengerunwaytow.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/2cb4f300-1bad-4110-ab21-377371bf085b/aviationchallengerunwaytow.jpg?10000 KLM Cityhopper flies to Valencia for The Aviation Challenge https://news.klm.com/klm-cityhopper-flies-to-valencia-for-the-aviation-challenge/ https://news.klm.com/klm-cityhopper-flies-to-valencia-for-the-aviation-challenge/657102Yesterday, a KLM Cityhopper Embraer 195-E2 flew from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Valencia Airport for The Aviation Challenge. The challenge is an initiative by SkyTeam to encourage airlines to conduct operations as efficiently and economically as possible. The participating airlines share the results of the tests so they can use this information to further enhance the sustainability of their overall flight operations.

]]>KLM recognizes its impact on the environment and climate and understands that there are limits to what our planet can handle, necessitating action if we want to continue operating within these boundaries. By testing various innovations during flight operations and onboard, KLM examines their outcomes with the goal of scaling them up and implementing them as standard practices. 

The KLM Cityhopper flight for The Aviation Challenge has landed in Valencia, the city designated as the European Green Capital for 2024 by the European Commission. 

Before and during the flight, KLM tests various initiatives. For instance, the implementation of a new climb procedure, OptiClimb, can save 1% fuel on KLM Cityhopper flights. This procedure advises pilots on the most efficient climb speeds based on weight, weather conditions, aircraft type, and route. This procedure is implemented on all KLM Cityhopper flights next week. Additionally, efforts are made to conduct ground processes at the airport—both at Schiphol and Valencia—using as much electric equipment as possible. 

Onboard, several changes are made, both noticeable and unnoticeable to passengers. Calculations ensure the aircraft is loaded with the minimum possible weight, and food waste is collected separately. Wine is carried in 'Wine Tubes' instead of small bottles, reducing both weight and waste. The trolleys are also updated to separately collect and process all waste. Porcelain is replaced onboard, and the Business Class cup is made from recycled agricultural waste. KLM's inflight magazine, Holland Herald, is available digitally via onboard WiFi. Lastly, the crew received uniforms made from a new, more sustainable fabric and wears the previously introduced KLM sneakers by Filling Pieces. 

As an airline, KLM aims to involve its passengers in the transition as well. Passengers who purchase alternative fuel (SAF) are given priority boarding, right after SkyPriority passengers. Tap water is made more accessible at Schiphol with water points, allowing passengers to fill reusable bottles provided by Dopper, reducing the need for plastic water bottles. Passengers are also encouraged to pack light before the flight. 

The idea for The Aviation Challenge originated from a group of enthusiastic KLM colleagues. They were inspired by the historic London-Melbourne race in 1934, which aimed to connect the world and bring people together. Today's aviation challenges are not about bridging distances but about sustainability. Hence, SkyTeam's concrete challenge in the form of The Aviation Challenge is to conduct a regular commercial flight with as little impact on the planet as possible.

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