The biofuel for this series of flights is produced from 100% RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) certified camelina oil and in full compliance with the EU RED standard. The biofuel is produced within the ITAKA (Initiative Towards SustAinable Kerosene for Aviation) project and supplied by Air BP and SkyNRG. The ITAKA consortium was founded by leading companies operating in the airline and fuel industries. Together, they are working on producing and testing sustainable biofuel in the airline industry. In achieving this goal, they receive financial support from the European Commission.

The biofuel flights are partly funded by the partners in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme: ABN AMRO, Accenture, CBRE Global Investors, FMO, FrieslandCampina, City of Amsterdam, Heineken, Loyens & Loeff, PGGM, Perfetti Van Melle and the Schiphol Group.

KLM’s aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% per passenger in 2020 (compared to 2011 levels) through fleet renewal, using sustainable biofuel and increasing flight efficiency. Because affordable sustainable biofuel is not always available, KLM also aims to stimulate the market for sustainable biofuel. KLM is “best in class” when it comes to fuel efficiency and leads the field with respect to using sustainable biofuel.

KLM’s recent inclusion of the E175 from Embraer in its fleet ties in with the airline’s aim to further reduce CO2 emissions. This aircraft type is significantly more fuel-efficient in comparison with the current Fokker 70 equipment, and is therefore more environmentally friendly. Using 18% less fuel, it also generates an 18% reduction in CO2 emissions.

KLM’s current aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% in 2020 (compared to 2011 levels) through fleet renewal, using sustainable biofuel and increasing flight efficiency. KLM is best in class when it comes to fuel efficiency and is leading in using sustainable biofuel.

The flights have also been made possible by the partners of the Corporate BioFuel programme, which this week expanded to include ABN AMRO. The corporations that participate in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme pay a surcharge that covers the price difference between sustainable biofuel and traditional kerosene. This investment is fully utilised by KLM to purchase sustainable biofuel, which is added to the fuel pumped into KLM aircraft at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and elsewhere, like Oslo. Consequently, the participating corporations reduce CO2 emissions resulting from their business travel, but also contribute to the further development of the biofuel market.
 

* ITAKA: Initiative Towards SustAinable Kerosene for Aviation. ITAKA, a consortium of leading aerospace and fuel companies, was established to produce sustainable biofuel for use in aviation. ITAKA is a cooperative project funded by the European Commission. The project aims to produce sustainable, renewable jet fuel and to test its use in existing logistics systems and during regular flight operations within Europe.