Cooking oil to power commercial airline flights

Novel biofuel requires no adjustments to aircraft engines or infrastructure

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is to operate commercial flights on biofuel made from used cooking oil.

The novel choice of fuel represents another important step in aviation sustainability, said the airline.

Starting in September, KLM will launch more than 200 flights between Amsterdam and Paris on biokerosene made in part from used cooking oil. The fuel is produced by Dynamic Fuels and supplied by SkyNRG, a consortium launched by KLM and North Sea Group and Spring Associates in 2009.

KLM said: “We are 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.”

KLM said that it supported the view published in the WWF’s Energy Report which indicated that alternative fuels made from biomass are the only appropriate replacement for fossil fuels for such sectors as the airline industry. Managing director Camiel Eurlings said: “The route to 100% sustainable energy is enormously challenging. The costs of biofuels need to come down substantially and permanently. This can be achieved through innovation, collaboration and the right legislation that stimulates biofuel in the airline industry, but with an eye on honest competition. We really need to move forward together to attain continuous access to sustainable fuel.”

KLM has been developing sustainable biofuel since 2007. In November 2009 it demonstrated that it was technically possible to fly on biokerosene. “Now, a year and a half after our first demonstration flight on Camelina, a new phase has been entered around the world, that of certification,” said Eurlings. “Authorisation will soon be granted to operate commercial flights on biofuel. KLM will take this substantial step in September.”