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(IN SHORT) KLM has welcomed SkyNRG’s secured financing for the construction of the Netherlands’ first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel factory in Delfzijl. Scheduled to begin production in 2028, the plant will produce 100,000 tons of SAF annually. As a co-founder and shareholder of SkyNRG, KLM has played a key role in developing the project, including providing a long-term offtake commitment and pledging to purchase 75,000 tons of SAF per year, equivalent to about 2% of its fuel consumption. SAF offers at least 65% lower lifecycle CO₂ emissions compared to conventional kerosene. KLM is calling for continued government collaboration and policy support, including a potential national SAF fund, to help achieve the Netherlands’ 14% blending target by 2030 and to accelerate broader industry adoption.
(PRESS RELEASE) AMSTELVEEN, The Netherlands, 2026-Feb-12 — /Travel PR News/ — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has welcomed confirmation that SkyNRG has secured financing for its sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Delfzijl, clearing the way for construction of the Netherlands’ first plant fully dedicated to SAF. The development marks a significant step toward scaling domestic SAF production and advancing the aviation sector’s decarbonisation efforts.
The Delfzijl facility, first announced in 2019, is expected to begin production in 2028 with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel. KLM has been involved in the project since its early stages, having co-founded SkyNRG in 2009 and supported the development of the SAF market over the past decade and a half. The airline also provided a long-term offtake commitment, a move that contributed to securing the project’s financing.
Sustainable aviation fuel plays a central role in KLM’s strategy to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions. While SAF generates similar CO₂ emissions during flight compared to conventional kerosene, its full lifecycle emissions — from production through combustion — are at least 65% lower. Alongside fleet modernisation and operational efficiency improvements, SAF is viewed as one of the most effective pathways for reducing aviation’s climate impact in the near term.
KLM has committed to purchasing 75,000 tons of SAF annually from the new facility, representing approximately 2% of its total fuel consumption. The airline considers the Delfzijl plant a cornerstone in strengthening the Netherlands’ international position in sustainable aviation fuel development.
The financing and permitting process for the facility required significant time and coordination, highlighting the importance of regulatory support and public-private cooperation in scaling sustainable fuel production. KLM has emphasized the need for active government involvement to help achieve the Netherlands’ national target of 14% SAF blending by 2030. The airline has called for policy measures, including the establishment of a national SAF fund, as recommended in the Wennink report The Route to Future Prosperity.
The project aligns with broader government ambitions to expand alternative aviation fuels. Public opinion research conducted by Markteffect on behalf of KLM indicates that a large majority of Dutch respondents support allocating aviation tax revenues toward making air travel more sustainable.
With construction set to begin, the Delfzijl facility represents a tangible step in accelerating SAF production within Europe. However, industry stakeholders note that further investments and collaborative initiatives will be required to ensure sufficient volumes of affordable sustainable aviation fuel are available to meet climate targets across the aviation sector.
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SOURCE: KLM
