KLM Newsroom

KLM Cityhopper flies to Valencia for The Aviation Challenge

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:58:37 +0200

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.

KLM remains committed to sustainable aviation fuel with KLM Corporate SAF Programme

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:30:00 +0100

“Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not necessarily the same as biofuel. The fact that something is made from organic raw materials, does not necessarily imply that it is sustainable. This led to some confusion,” explains Karel Bockstael, vice president of Sustainability at KLM. “For KLM, the term SAF better describes the alternative we use instead of fossil fuel. The fuel we use is truly sustainable and does not lead to deforestation or replace food production. SAF also includes alternative fuels that are, for instance, made of CO₂, renewable energy and water, better known as ‘synthetic kerosene’. This field is undergoing strong development, which is why it is logical that we have decided to rename our corporate programme.”

Sixteen members
The KLM Corporate SAF Programme was launched in 2012 and now includes sixteen partners, including ABN AMRO, Royal Schiphol Group and Arcadis. These businesses and institutions help KLM finance the purchase of SAF, thereby reducing the CO₂ footprint of their business travel by air. SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by 85% compared to fossil kerosene, but because it is in short supply and expensive to produce, it is three times more expensive. The SAF purchased by KLM is mixed with fossil fuel and pumped into the refuelling systems at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and in Los Angeles. The SAF is produced and supplied locally at both locations. The total amount of SAF used by KLM in 2019 amounted to less than 1% of all fuel used by KLM.

“That’s less than we would like, of course. We will need to use a lot more of this fuel to substantially reduce CO₂ emissions,” explains Harm Kreulen, director of KLM Benelux. “That is why we will continue to bring the KLM Corporate SAF Programme to the attention of our customers, specifically in this time of crisis. This is the ideal moment for KLM to pursue its ambition to become even more sustainable. The drastic reduction of our CO₂ footprint, with the aid of fleet modernisation, improved operational efficiency and SAF, plays an essential part in this ambition.”

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo SAF Programme
Since the start of the year, our cargo customers can also support the development and production of SAF thanks to the new Air France KLM Martinair Cargo SAF Programme. The first customers to join this programme was Kühne+Nagel, who have agreed to invest in SAF for all cargo kilometres traversed by their shipments on the Los Angeles-Amsterdam route.

“Fly Responsibly”
The KLM Corporate SAF Programme is perfectly in step with the “Fly Responsibly” initiative that KLM launched in 2019, with a view to leading the way towards a more sustainable future for air transport. KLM is striving to achieve this, among other things, by making all its products and processes more sustainable today and in the future. However, real progress can only be achieved if the entire industry gets involved. A key aspect of KLM’s “Fly Responsibly” initiative is to invite passengers to make use of its CO2ZERO CO₂ compensation programme, but also to invite businesses to join the KLM Corporate SAF Programme and cargo customers to join the Air France KLM Martinair Cargo SAF Programme for their airfreight shipments.

KLM and TU Delft present successful first flight Flying-V

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:30:11 +0200

The scale model of the Flying-V - the energy-efficient aircraft of the future - has flown for the first time. A year and a half ago TU Delft and KLM announced the start of the design of the Flying-V during IATA 2019 and after extensive wind tunnel tests and ground tests it was finally ready. The first successful test flight is a fact.

Last month a team of researchers, engineers and a drone pilot from TU Delft travelled to an airbase in Germany for the first test flight. "We were very curious about the flight characteristics of the Flying-V. The design fits within our Fly Responsibly initiative, which stands for everything we are doing and will do to improve our sustainability. We want a sustainable future for aviation and innovation is part of that. KLM has been among the top three most sustainable airlines worldwide in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for many years. We want to continue to do so in the future. We are therefore very proud that we have been able to achieve this together in such a short period of time," says Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM.

Click here for the footage of the flight.

The Flying-V is a design for a very energy-efficient long-haul aircraft. The design of the aircraft integrates the passenger cabin, cargo hold and fuel tanks in the wings, creating a spectacular V-shape. Computer calculations have predicted that the improved aerodynamic shape and reduced weight of the aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by 20% compared to today's most advanced aircraft.

Collaboration and Innovation

KLM presented the scale model for the first time during KLM's 100th anniversary in October 2019. Several partners are now involved in the project, including manufacturer Airbus. Elbers: "You can't make the aviation sector more sustainable on your own, but you have to do it together," says Elbers. Collaborating with partners and sharing knowledge takes us all further. That's why we will further develop the Flying-V concept with all partners. The next step will be to fly the Flying V on sustainable fuel".

For more information about the test flight:

Today, Dr. Roelof Vos and Prof. Henri Werij of TU Delft showed how the test flight went via a webcast. Pieter Elbers, CEO KLM and Daniel Reckzeh, Senior Manager R&T in Airbus commented. The recording of the webcast can be viewed here.

KLM and Delft University join hands for sustainable civil aviation

Tue, 09 May 2017 17:19:40 +0200

Three times the price
By participating in the Corporate BioFuel Programme (CBP) the university wants to contribute actively to the introduction of more environmentally friendly jet fuel. By participating in the Programme, the university can reduce CO₂ emissions among its staff’s business travel by about 10% per flight. KLM will use the investment by participants in the CBP to bridge the price difference between standard fuel and sustainable biofuel. Right now, biofuel is three times as expensive as traditional jet fuel.

Using sustainable biofuel in large quantities can result in an 80% reduction in CO₂ emissions in the airline industry. For this reason, there is a worldwide need for technological development and further research into sustainable raw materials. Right now, the production, and the market, for sustainable biofuel is extremely limited. KLM has been working to develop the market for biofuel since 2011 and is stimulating more companies in the airline industry to follow its example.

Reducing CO₂ emissions
KLM is aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in 2020 (compared to 2010). In addition to introducing biofuel, it is also employing a fleet renewal programme and more efficient flight operations to achieve its goal. Other partners in the Corporate BioFuel Programme include ABN AMRO, Accenture, FrieslandCampina, the City of Amsterdam, Loyens & Loeff, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, PGGM, and the Schiphol Group.

KLM only purchases biofuels made from raw materials that have no negative environmental impact on biodiversity or food production. Sustainable biofuels are purchased through SkyNRG and are tested by the SkyNRG Sustainability Board. SkyNRG is certified by the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

Collaboration between KLM and Delft University
In March, KLM and the Delft University of Technology signed a cooperative agreement under the name of Design Doing at Royal Dutch Airlines. The aim of this particular effort is to develop new products and to optimise existing KLM processes in a live operational KLM environment – that is, involving real passengers at a real airport in real aircraft. In this way, KLM will show its deep dedication to applying Design Thinking.

You can find out more at klmtakescare.com.