KLM has launched a series of biofuel flights to Aruba and Bonaire over a six-month period, following the success of its biofuel series to New York in 2013. Operating an Airbus 330-200, the new biofuel route marks another step forward in KLM’s journey towards more sustainable aviation practices. The biofuel used for the routes will reduce CO2 emissions, and the levels of fuel consumption will also be improved thanks to the enhanced engine performance of the A330-200, as a lighter and more efficient aircraft.
Aruba and Bonaire were chosen as the next destination for biofuel flights, due to the fact that both islands place sustainability high on their national agenda, with Aruba’s current aim to be carbon neutral by 2020 mirroring KLM’s own ambition to reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, by 2020. The European Commission and KLM will together use this series to demonstrate the potential of biofuel for air travel, and the opportunity it presents to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
CEO of KLM Camiel Eurlings, said: ‘I am proud that once again KLM is demonstrating its pioneering role in the development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels, together with new partners, the European Commission and Airbus. This new series of biofuel flights to Aruba and Bonaire follow the New York series of last year and the launch of the Bioport Holland collaboration, for which we recently received a Sustainable Bio Award. This reaffirms why, together with Air France, we have been ranked the most sustainable airline (DJSI) for nine consecutive years.’
The biofuel flights form a part of the programme entitled the Initiative Towards Sustainable Kerosene for Aviation, which is support by the European Commission through research grant funding, aimed at delivering technological breakthrough developments. For the first time they are also demonstrating the value of the entire chain of production and distribution of aviation biofuel – therefore hoping to quicken the time needed to market new, cleaner solutions. This will hopefully bring the commercialisation of alternative energy sources for air travel ever closer.