Here’s a big step forward for the Dutch flag carrier KLM! In a landmark decision, the
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has said that it will be launching above 200 flights to be operated on bio-kerosene on Paris-Amsterdam route in September. This significant step being taken by the KLM is aimed towards aviation sustainability.
The KLM in a statement said that it will be operating the flights on bio-fuel prepared from the used cooking oil. The airline further said that it is always open to using different raw materials for the making of bio-fuel. It, however, said that this will be on the condition that the raw materials for end product are able to fulfill several sustainability criteria, which includes least negative impact on food supply and biodiversity as well as substantial CO2 emissions reductions. It is also mandatory that bio-fuels being used by KLM should qualify technical specifications in the same way as traditional kerosene, and no adjustments whatsoever should be made to aircraft engines or the infrastructure when using them.
Camiel Eurlings, Managing Director of KLM, expressed his happiness and said that the airline has proved once again that it is keeping up with its plans to boost development of bio-kerosene. He said that the KLM has already demonstrated it in November 2009 that it’s technically possible to operate on bio-kerosene. “A year and a half after first demonstration flight, a new phase – that of certification – has entered world over. The operation of commercial flights on bio-fuels will soon be approved by aviation authorities. I’m proud to say that KLM will be taking this important step in September,” said Camiel Eurlings.
A firm named Dynamic Fuels is producing the bio-fuels, and it is being supplied by SkyNRG. The KLM, North Sea Group and Spring Associates jointly launched the SkyNRG consortium, which is actively engaged in creating a sustainable aviation bio-fuels production chain.
The KLM is industry leader in aviation fuel efficiency and has been engaged in developing sustainable bio-fuel ever since 2007.
