KLM launches new series of biofuel flights from Oslo to Amsterdam

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today launched a series of around 80 biofuel flights from Oslo to Amsterdam operated with an EMBRAER 190. The flights are marking yet another step in the right direction towards phasing in jet biofuel in the aviation industry.

The flights will depart from Avinor’s Oslo Airport, the first international airport hub in the world to supply biofuel directly from its hydrant system since January this year. For these specific flights, operated by KLM Cityhopper, sustainable jet fuel is delivered into wing by separate fuel trucks. This way, Embraer can conduct measurements to gauge the efficiency of sustainable jet fuel compared to fossil jet fuel.

The sustainable jet fuel is produced by Neste within the ITAKA* project (funded by the European Commission) and made available by Air BP and SkyNRG in close cooperation with Norwegian airport operator Avinor. The fuel is produced from RSB certified Camelina oil and in full compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The flights are partly funded by the partners in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

Jon Sjølander, Vice President Strategy Avinor: “Reducing carbon emissions from the aviation industry requires cooperation and coordination between several partners. Avinor has made a long-term commitment to make sustainable jet fuel available for airlines refueling at our airports. I am very pleased that KLM, one of the pioneers in development of sustainable jet fuel, has chosen Avinor’s Oslo Airport for these flights.”

Boet Kreiken, Managing Director KLM Cityhopper: “KLM believes that sustainable biofuel is important for the airline industry. For this reason, we have for some time been cooperating with different partners, including those united within the scope of the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme, to stimulate the development of the market. Our new cooperative relationship with Embraer and Avinor serves to underscore just how important this is.”

Jorge Ramos, president of Embraer, Europe: “Embraer has been directly involved in several initiatives and partnerships for research and development of biofuels for aviation, but these flights with KLM are a flagship, as they represent the first initiative Embraer develops with aviation biofuels on regular flights. We will use the biofuel flights from Oslo to Amsterdam operated by the E190 to gather data to assess the performance of the engines using a percentage of jet biofuel in comparison with fossil-based kerosene.”

Maarten van Dijk, CEO SkyNRG: “For the coming years, the price gap between sustainable and fossil jet fuel remains the biggest challenge to create a stable market for sustainable jet fuel. Therefore, engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, fuel producers and suppliers, airports and airlines is crucial. We’re proud to collaborate with KLM, Embraer, ITAKA, the partners in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme, Air BP and Avinor in supplying sustainable jet fuel for these flights.”

Avinor is responsible for the 46 state-owned airports and air navigation services for civilian and military aviation in Norway. This network links Norway together - and links Norway to the world.

Avinor is a driving force in environmental work in aviation and a driving force to reduce the combined greenhouse gas emissions from Norwegian aviation. The company has a leading role in the work on developing and delivering biofuel for aircraft. Every year Avinor contributes to safe and efficient travel for around 50 million airline passengers. Around half travel to and from Oslo Airport.

More than 3,000 employees are responsible for planning, developing and operating airports and air navigation services. Avinor is funded by aviation fees and commercial sales at the airports.