KLM incorporates small amount of SAF in all flights from Amsterdam

Photo: KLM

Beginning Jan. 10, KLM will start adding 0.5 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for flights departing from Amsterdam. In addition, KLM hopes to stimulate the market for SAF by offering its customers the option of purchasing an extra amount of sustainable fuel beginning Jan. 13.

Thanks to its customers who participate in the corporate and cargo SAF programs, KLM already has a relatively substantial share of the global SAF market today, according to the airline. Yet with a share of 0.18 percent in 2019, it is still less than 1 percent of its total fuel consumption.

“We realize that the 0.5 percent 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,” the airline stated. “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.”

Although France has introduced a small but mandatory SAF requirement as of Jan. 1, this is not yet required in the Netherlands. Within Europe, there is a proposal to achieve a compulsory SAF proportion of 2 percent 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 percent 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 utilization of SAF is a key factor in achieving these targets. The 0.5 percent SAF proportion will supplement the SAF that is already being blended for customers who have joined KLM’s corporate and cargo SAF programs. 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 percent SAF admixture on all flights from Amsterdam. For individual passengers who wish to further reduce the footprint of their flight, KLM has expanded its CO2ZERO service with an option to purchase an additional quantity of SAF. This option will be available in addition to its 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. In 2011, KLM conducted the world’s first commercial flight on blended biofuel. In February 2021 it operated a commercial flight with an admixture of sustainable synthetic fuel. For SAF, KLM focuses on all technologies, whether used cooking oil, forestry residues or 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 percent admixture for flights departing from Amsterdam and will enable KLM to meet additional demand generated by passengers via the CO2ZERO program, as well as demand generated by partners in other various programs.