<![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://news.klm.com/ en Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:38:24 +0200 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:55:43 +0100 <![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_162.jpg https://news.klm.com/ 144 KLM wins awards at The Aviation Challenge https://news.klm.com/klm-wins-awards-at-the-aviation-challenge/ https://news.klm.com/klm-wins-awards-at-the-aviation-challenge/734084KLM and KLM Cityhopper won several awards at the annual Aviation Challenge Awards ceremony in Copenhagen. This challenge encourages airlines worldwide to conduct their regular operations with as little impact on the environment as possible, while testing innovative solutions that contribute to making aviation more sustainable. Twenty-two airlines participated this year.

The flight to Nairobi with which KLM participated in The Aviation Challenge achieved the lowest CO₂ emissions ever, at 35g CO₂/RTK. This was achieved by flying entirely on SAF (through the mass balance method) and making a number of operational adjustments. This earned KLM a Special Recognition award. KLM also received a Special Recognition award for sharing knowledge with Kenya Airways.

In addition, KLM received an award for the Best Showcase Flight with the video Intern On A Mission, for the inspiring image KLM gave of the flight to Rome with an Airbus 321N.

Finally, KLM Cityhopper (KLC) won the prestigious Pioneer of the Year award for its 100% SAF ticket project, which ran in 2025 on the Amsterdam – London City Airport and Amsterdam – Hamburg routes. KLC temporarily increased the SAF percentage to 100 percent on the two test routes. The additional SAF contribution went entirely towards the purchase of SAF. In this way, KLC investigated passengers' willingness to pay extra for SAF if it is included in the ticket price as standard.

About The Aviation Challenge

More than eighty flights were carried out between September 26 and October 26 as part of The Aviation Challenge. During these flights, airlines tested operational improvements and innovative solutions that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions from aviation. Examples include route optimization, innovative maintenance measures, weight savings, and the use of SAF.

On average, these flights achieved 13.5 percent lower CO2 emissions than the regular operations of the participating airlines and were 12 percent below the sector average. 

KLM recognizes its impact on the environment and climate and understands that there are limits to what our planet can withstand. Action is needed to continue operating within these limits. By testing various innovations during flight operations and on board, KLM is assessing their benefits with the aim of scaling them up and implementing them as standard.

]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:22:44 +0100 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/ff881185-6d81-4b7a-88ad-91376eb272ce/500_mwx_4092.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/ff881185-6d81-4b7a-88ad-91376eb272ce/mwx_4092.jpg?10000 KLM further expands approach for Sustainable Aviation Fuel https://news.klm.com/klm-further-expands-approach-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel/ https://news.klm.com/klm-further-expands-approach-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel/489184
  • From today, KLM will add sustainable aviation fuel to all flights departing from Amsterdam
  • From January 13, customers can choose to purchase an additional amount of sustainable fuel when booking 
  • KLM has already signed agreements with various partners and SAF suppliers 
    • ]]>    Today, KLM will start adding 0.5% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights departing from Amsterdam. In addition, KLM will offer its customers the option of purchasing an extra amount of sustainable fuel. In this manner, KLM aims to stimulate the market for SAF. The face of travel is set to change in the future and SAF will play an essential role in this regard. In addition to fleet renewal and further innovation within the company and sector, KLM is committed to bringing about an energy transition. 

    Thanks to our customers who participate in the Corporate and Cargo SAF Programme, KLM already has a relatively substantial share of the global SAF market today. Yet with a share of 0.18% in 2019, it is still less than 1% of our total fuel consumption. We realize that the 0.5% standard admixture on passenger tickets is a very small step, but an important one in the right direction and we hope other airlines will follow soon. We will have to work with all parties around us and come up with rock-solid solutions and innovations to further open the market for SAF. 

    Reduce of CO2 emissions by at least 75% 
    The CO2 emissions of SAF that KLM currently purchases are at least 75% lower than those of fossil kerosene. That is why, in the short term, SAF is the most important means of drastically reducing CO2 emissions, thus contributing to making aviation more sustainable. The costs for the sustainable fuel variant are at least four times higher and production is lagging behind. By increasing demand, KLM hopes to further develop the market for SAF so that supply is scaled up and sustainable fuel ultimately becomes cheaper. 

    SAF ambitions 
    Effective 1 January 2022, France will introduce a compulsory SAF admixture percentage. This is not yet compulsory in the Netherlands. Within Europe, there is a proposal to achieve a compulsory SAF proportion of 2% by 2025 for all flights within and from Europe. KLM and its partners in the Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition previously announced that it is their ambition to achieve a worldwide SAF proportion of 10% in 2030. To this end, KLM has now decided to start adding more SAF voluntarily. 
    In addition, Air France-KLM, KLM and Air France have committed themselves to the CO2 reduction trajectory drawn up for the aviation sector by the Science Based Targets initiative. This will ensure that KLM’s objectives are in line with the targets of the UN Climate Agreement signed in Paris (net zero in 2050). Increased utilisation of SAF is a key factor in achieving these targets. 

    Standard admixture added to ticket price 
    The 0.5% SAF proportion will supplement the SAF that is already being blended for customers who have joined KLM’s Corporate and Cargo SAF programmes. A surcharge for the additional SAF will be added to the ticket price. This means KLM passengers will automatically contribute to the purchase of sustainable fuel. The surcharge will vary from 1 to 12 euros per ticket, depending on the distance flown and the seat booked (economy or business). 
    KLM will use this contribution to finance a standard 0.5% SAF admixture on all flights from Amsterdam. 

    CO2ZERO service expanded with SAF option 
    For individual passengers who wish to further reduce the footprint of their flight, we have expanded our CO2ZERO service with an option to purchase an additional quantity of SAF. This option will be available in addition to our existing compensation alternative to support a reforestation project with Gold Standard certification. Reforestation is a way in which CO2 emissions can be compensated outside the aviation industry. With the additional purchase of SAF, a passenger contributes to less use of fossil kerosene, and thus to a direct reduction of CO2 emissions as a result of flying. Again, KLM will use the entire amount raised to purchase SAF to boost global SAF production. 

    Purchase of SAF 
    In 2011, KLM conducted the world’s first commercial flight on blended biofuel. In February 2021 we operated a commercial flight with an admixture of sustainable synthetic fuel. For SAF, KLM focuses on all technologies side by side: based on used cooking oil, forestry residues and sustainable synthetic fuel. KLM is currently purchasing relatively large volumes of SAF and has signed various purchase agreements with suppliers. This will guarantee the standard 0.5% admixture for flights departing from Amsterdam and will enable KLM to meet additional demand generated by passengers via the CO2ZERO programme, as well as demand generated by partners in KLM’s Corporate SAF Programme and the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo SAF Programme, thereby contributing to KLM’s efforts to achieve its CO2 reduction targets. 
     

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