Air France KLM Cargo launches sustainable fuel programme
08 / 12 / 2020
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) has launched a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programme that allows customers to select how much of their freight they would like to be flown using SAF.
The “world’s first” SAF programme for airfreight allows shippers and forwarders to determine a percentage of their shipments that they would like to be flown using alternative fuels.
“When investing in SAF, our customers receive a third-party audited report, justifying the purchased volume of SAF in relation to traffic and indicating the reduction in CO₂ emissions achieved,” the cargo division said.
“By participating in the cargo SAF programme, our customers not only reduce the carbon footprint, but confirm their commitment to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future. Only with the support of all industry stakeholders can we successfully develop a more viable market for SAF.”
AFKLMP said that it set up the programme to help stimulate demand for SAF as it is not yet widely available.
It hopes that programmes such as this will help make SAF more widely available at a more reasonable price, competing with standard jet fuel.
“Our commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions is one of the cornerstones of our cargo strategy. The launch of a SAF programme for airfreight is an important step in our ambitious sustainability roadmap for the coming years. I invite all our customers to join us in creating a more sustainable cargo future.” said Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of Air France-KLM Cargo and managing director of Martinair.
KLM operated the world’s first commercial flight using SAF in June 2011, with a flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
“Shortly thereafter, we began offering our corporate customers the option of compensating for CO₂ emissions from business travel by investing in SAF,” it added.
The green conversation looks set to make a return to the air cargo market in the coming months after 2020 was dominated by coronavirus.
Earlier this year, Air Cargo News reported on a seafood firm that had taken the decision to ditch air cargo entirely due to environmental concerns.
