KLM Newsroom

KLM launches commercial flights Amsterdam – Paris on biofuel

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0200

The flights will be operated on biofuel made from Used Cooking Oil. KLM is open to using different raw materials for the end product, as long as they meet a range of sustainability criteria, including substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and minimum negative impact on biodiversity and food supply. All biofuels used by KLM also have to meet precisely the same technical specifications as traditional kerosene and must not require any adjustments to aircraft engines or infrastructure.

The fuel is produced by Dynamic Fuels and supplied by SkyNRG, the consortium launched by KLM and North Sea Group and Spring Associates in 2009. SkyNRG is actively developing a sustainable production chain for aviation biofuels. The sustainability of alternative kerosene depends on many factors and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In order to be able in future to reach the right decisions in this area, SkyNRG is advised by an independent Sustainability Board, consisting of the Dutch wing of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Solidaridad, and the Copernicus Institute of the University of Utrecht. A positive recommendation from the Sustainability Board carries a lot of weight for KLM.

KLM also supports the view published in the WWF’s Energy Report which indicates that alternative fuels made from biomass are the only appropriate replacement for fossil fuels for such sectors as the airline industry. Eurlings: “The route to 100% sustainable energy is enormously challenging. The costs of biofuels need to come down substantially and permanently. This can be achieved through innovation, collaboration and the right legislation that stimulates biofuel in the airline industry, but with an eye on honest competition. We really need to move forward together to attain continuous access to sustainable fuel”.

KLM has been committed to developing sustainable biofuel since 2007. Air France KLM is also an industry leader in the field of fuel efficiency. Air France KLM has been sector leader of de Dow Jones Sustainability Index for six successive years.

First commercial flights operated normally

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0200

The first two flights carried no passengers but transported cargo and flight crews. Dutch authorities have permitted KLM to fly only on these routes.

Passengers are advised not to go to Schiphol Airport, but to check the website for the airline with which they are flying for the latest information.

KLM Operates Commercial Flights on Sunday

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0200

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operated two commercial flights to the Far East on Sunday evening. There were no passengers on board these flights, which both carried cargo and the regular crew complement. The flights bound for Sharjah and Bangkok/Taipei were respectively operated by a Boeing 747 full freighter and a Boeing 747 combi. The Dutch aviation authorities granted KLM permission to operate these flights. Earlier on Sunday, KLM successfully operated nine test flights. None of these flights encountered any problems. According to KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman it is completely safe to operate flights during hours of daylight.