This September KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch more than 200 flights which will be operated on biokerosene – or re-processed cooking oil – between Amsterdam and Paris, after successful test flights which have been ongoing since November 2009.

KLM Managing Director Camiel Eurlings said: “KLM has once again shown it is stimulating the development of biokerosene. In November 2009 we demonstrated that it was technically possible to fly on biokerosene. 

“Now, a year and a half after our first demonstration flight on Camelina, a new phase has been entered around the world, that of certification. Authorisation will soon be granted to operate commercial flights on biofuel. I am especially proud to announce that KLM will take this substantial step in September”.

SUBSTANTIAL CO2 REDUCTIONS
The airline says that the initial flights will be operated on biofuel made from used cooking oil, although it says it is open to using different raw materials for the end product, as long as they meet a range of sustainability criteria – including substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and minimum negative impact on biodiversity and food supply. 

All biofuels being used by KLM also have to meet precisely the same technical specifications as traditional kerosene and must not require any adjustments to aircraft engines or infrastructure. 

The fuel is being produced by Dynamic Fuels and is supplied by SkyNRG, the consortium launched by KLM and North Sea Group and Spring Associates in 2009. SkyNRG is actively developing a sustainable production chain for aviation biofuels. Air France KLM has been committed to developing sustainable biofuel since 2007.