Thu, Jul 07, 2011
B737 Flew From Schiphol To Paris On Biofuel Blend
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines says it has became the first airline in
the world to operate a scheduled commercial flight on biokerosene.
Flight KL1233 - a Boeing 737-800 - took off Friday afternoon at
1230 local time from Schiphol bound for Charles de Gaulle in Paris
carrying 171 passengers. State Secretary of Infrastructure and the
Environment, Joop Atsma, was present for the flight's
departure.
File Photo
"Last week we announced that we would be operating more than 200
flights to Paris on biokerosene in September this year. Today
(Friday), KLM wrote history! KLM is ready and today we were pleased
to show just that," said Managing Director of KLM, Camiel Eurlings
shortly before departing for Paris.
In taking this initiative, KLM says it leads the world in
showing that innovation and sustainability are inextricably linked.
"It will be interesting to follow and stimulate the further
development of biofuels. In taking this step, KLM clearly shows the
value of finding clever ways to use waste derived from producers
and consumers," said State Secretary of Infrastructure and the
Environment, Joop Atsma.
The Inspectorate for Transport, Public Works and Water
Management (Inspectie Verkeer en Waterstaat - IVW) granted KLM
permission to operate the flight. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing was
also closely involved in making this first flight possible. KLM's
first commercial flight to Paris was operated on biokerosene
produced from used cooking oil. This same raw material will be used
in the flights scheduled for September. The fuel was supplied by
Dynamic Fuels via SkyNRG, the consortium co-founded by KLM in 2009
with the North Sea Group and Spring Associates.
KLM 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 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 airline says
it has been committed to developing sustainable biofuel since 2007.
Air France KLM is also an industry leader in the field of fuel
efficiency.
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