Schiphol Group supports KLM with the launch of its biofuel-powered intercontinental flights

2013-03-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today ( March 8), Schiphol Group together with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and leading global air carriers KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines, announced the launch of a first-ever series of intercontinental KLM flights, powered by second-generation biofuel. This second-generation biofuel is made from processed frying fat and does not have a negative impact on biodiversity or food production.

In a special event marking the start of this unique series of intercontinental flights on sustainable biofuel, Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp officially opened the Green Space at Schiphol’s Pier E. Other guests at the event included former Prime Minister and current chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition Jan Peter Balkenende, KLM’s Managing Director Camiel Eurlings and Jos Nijhuis, CEO of Schiphol Group. The Green Space offers an impression of the various sustainable initiatives being undertaken by Schiphol and KLM.

After the opening ceremony, a biofuel-powered KLM B777-200 departed for Terminal 4 at John F Kennedy Airport, marking the start of the series of weekly biofuel flights between JFK and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The expanded use of biofuel for aviation will reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and its dependence on fossil fuels.

“If we want to make aviation more sustainable, we need to join forces”, says Camiel Eurlings, Managing Director KLM. “We are very pleased to be able to make a joint effort to lift this biofuel project off to great success, with support of Schiphol Group, Delta Airlines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”

Jos Nijhuis, CEO of Schiphol Group, commented: ”We have achieved our objective to be carbon neutral with respect to our own activities. But our responsibility does not stop at the gates of Schiphol. It is our duty as partners in the aviation industry to stir innovation and to create new solutions which will make aviation more efficient and more sustainable. That is why we support KLM in this pioneering project that will help pave the way for climate-friendly aviation, one of the strategic pillars of our corporate responsibility policy.”