KLM recently started adding 0,5% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights departing from Amsterdam. In addition, KLM has recently offered its customers the option of purchasing an amount of sustainable fuel on top of that. In this way, KLM wants to further stimulate the market for SAF. Travel will have to be done differently in the future and sustainable jet fuel plays an essential role in this. In addition to fleet renewal and further innovation of our company and the sector, an energy transition is needed.
Thanks to our customers who participate in the Corporate and Cargo SAF Program, KLM already has a relatively substantial share of the global SAF market today. Yet with a share of 0,18% in 2019, it is still less than 1% of our total fuel consumption. We realize that the 0,5% standard admixture on passenger tickets is a very small step, but an important one in the right direction. Also for flights with Transavia is added and we hope that other airlines will follow soon. We will have to work with all parties around us and come up with rock-solid solutions and innovations to further open up the market for SAF.
CO2 emissions at least 75% lower
At the moment, SAF's CO2 emissions that KLM now purchases are at least 75% lower than those of fossil kerosene. That is why, in the short term, SAF is the most important means of drastically reducing CO2 emissions and thus contributing to the further sustainability of aviation. The costs for the sustainable fuel variant are at least four times higher and production is lagging behind. By increasing demand, KLM hopes to further develop the market for SAF so that the supply can be scaled up and the fuel eventually becomes cheaper.
Ambitions SAF
As of 1 January, France has an obligation to mix sustainable fuel. This does not yet apply to the Netherlands. In a European context, the proposal is that in 2025 a blending obligation of 2% will apply for all flights within and from Europe. KLM and its partners in the Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition announced earlier this year that they have a global ambition to blend in by 2030% by 10. Following on from this, KLM is now taking the next step to voluntarily use more SAF.
Air France-KLM, KLM and Air France have also committed themselves to the CO2 reduction trajectory drawn up by the Science Based Targets initiative for the aviation sector, with which KLM aligns its objectives with the UN Climate Agreement of Paris (Net Zero in 2050). . Scaling up the use of SAF is essential to achieve these targets.
Standard addition passed on in ticket price
The 0,5% is in addition to the sustainable fuel that is already being filled for customers who work with KLM in the Corporate and Cargo SAF programmes. The additional cost for this is reflected in the price of the ticket. As a KLM passenger, you automatically contribute to the purchase of sustainable fuel. The increase in ticket prices varies from 1 to 12 euros for a ticket, depending on the cabin class booked (economy/business) and the distance to be flown. KLM uses the surcharge to purchase a standard 0,5% SAF for all flights from Amsterdam in order to further develop the market for SAF.
CO2ZERO service expanded with option to buy SAF
For individual passengers who want to further reduce the footprint of their flight, we have expanded our CO2ZERO service with the option to purchase additional sustainable fuel. We offer this in addition to the already existing possibility to contribute to a reforestation project with Gold Standard certification. Reforestation is a way to offset CO2 emissions 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, the full amount that is collected is used to purchase SAF.
Purchase SAF
In 2011, KLM conducted the world's first commercial flight on blended biofuel. In February of this year, we flew for the first time with a blend of sustainable synthetic fuel. For SAF, KLM focuses on all technologies side by side: based on used cooking fat, forestry residues and sustainable synthetic SAF. KLM is currently purchasing relatively large volumes of SAF and various purchase commitments have been made with suppliers. As a result, the addition from Amsterdam is guaranteed and KLM can meet the additional demand from passengers via the CO2ZERO program, from partners in the KLM Corporate SAF Program and the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo SAF Program and contributes to achieving the CO2 reduction targets of KLMthe airline said.
Middle photo: KLM image bank.