Aruba and Bonaire have been chosen as the next transatlantic destinations to be served by flights using sustainable biofuel.
The six-month trial by KLM on flights from Amsterdam follows the start of biofuel-powered flights to New York last year.
An Airbus 330-200 will serve the route to the Caribbean islands, reducing CO2 emissions, while fuel consumption will be improved thanks to the enhanced engine performance of the Airbus as a lighter and more efficient aircraft compared to other types.
Aruba and Bonaire were chosen as the next destinations for biofuel flights as both islands place sustainability high on their agendas. Aruba’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2020 mirrors KLM’s ambition to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% in the same timeframe.
The European Commission and KLM will together use this series of flights to demonstrate the potential of biofuel for air travel, and the opportunity it presents to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
KLM chief executive Camiel Eurlings said: “I am proud that once again KLM is demonstrating its pioneering role in the development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels, together with new partners, the European Commission and Airbus.”
The biofuel flights form a part of an Initiative Towards Sustainable Kerosene for Aviation programme which is support by the Commission through research grant funding, aimed at delivering technological breakthrough developments.