KLM operates passenger flight to Germany with eSAF blend

Photo: KLM

In collaboration with Ineratec, MB Energy and Hamburg Airport, KLM Cityhopper operated a passenger flight June 8 between Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Hamburg, Germany, using a 5 percent blend of synthetic kerosene, also known as electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF).

This is the first passenger flight to Germany using this fuel.

With this, KLM said it once again demonstrates that flying on eSAF is technically possible, despite the current challenges surrounding scalability and availability.

The synthetic kerosene was produced by Ineratec, blended with fossil kerosene by MB Energy, and refueled into the aircraft at Schiphol Airport.

Synthetic sustainable aviation fuel is made using renewable electricity, CO2 and water, and can reduce lifecycle emissions by more than 90 percent compared to fossil kerosene.

KLM said it pioneered this in 2021 by operating the first commercial flight using synthetic kerosene to Madrid, Spain.

Whereas 500 liters of eSAF could be blended then, only 200 liters are being used now, KLM stated.

“This shows how great the challenge is,” the airline said. “The availability of eSAF still lags far behind ambitions. Today, only a fraction of the eSAF mandate imposed by Europe for 2030 is actually in production. Making eSAF widely available and affordable on a large scale remains, alongside SAF, a major challenge.”

KLM supports the European mandate for the use of alternative fuels and will continue to invest in making aviation more sustainable.

At the same time, current eSAF production figures show that the European subtarget of a 1.2 percent eSAF blend by 2030 is a major challenge.

In addition to the fact that eSAF is currently four times more expensive than SAF (around eight times more expensive than conventional kerosene), there is as yet no eSAF production on a large scale.

The process of obtaining construction and environmental permits in Europe also plays a role, as does uncertainty over possible changes to ReFuelEU legislation.

It therefore remains crucial for governments across Europe to commit and invest in accelerating and scaling up alternative aviation fuels, both SAF and eSAF.

“As CEO of KLM and chair of Project SkyPower, I believe eSAF can make a real difference in making aviation more sustainable,” said KLM CEO Marjan Rintel. “KLM already pioneered a passenger flight on eSAF in 2021, from Amsterdam to Madrid. Today’s flight to Hamburg once again shows that flying on synthetic kerosene is technically possible. But the reality is that the availability of eSAF lags far behind ambition. To truly make a difference, we must work together with governments, industry and partners on scaling up and affordability in order to accelerate the sustainability of aviation.”

Christian Kunsch, the chairman of the executive board of Hamburg Airport, added, “Sustainably produced aviation fuels will play an important role in decarbonizing aviation in the coming years. Our infrastructure is fully ready, and we actively support airlines in the use of locally produced blends, including through targeted incentives. Today’s eSAF flight marks an important milestone on the path toward lower CO2 emissions through the use of alternative fuels.”

Tim Boeltken, co-founder and CEO of Ineratec, said, “We are ready to deliver. Today’s flight, with our chief commercial officer Maximilian Backhaus on board during a regular passenger service, clearly shows that power-to-liquid fuels are safe, available and already operationally viable today. This is just the beginning of many applications we will see this year across various sectors.”

Jonathan Perkins, CEO at MB Energy, said, “Aviation has long been at the forefront of technological innovation. With this operation, together with KLM and Ineratec, we are showing how lower-carbon aviation fuels can be integrated into existing infrastructure and operations. At MB Energy, we are laying the foundation today—preparing routes to market for new fuels, adapting our infrastructure and ensuring stable supply lines. When our customers are ready, we can deliver what they need, when they need it.”