Today, in collaboration with INERATEC, MB Energy, and Hamburg Airport, KLM Cityhopper operated a passenger flight between Amsterdam and Hamburg using a 5% blend of synthetic kerosene (e-SAF). This is the first passenger flight to Germany using this fuel. With this, KLM once again demonstrates that flying on e-SAF is technically possible, despite the current challenges surrounding scalability and availability.
The synthetic kerosene was produced by INERATEC, blended with fossil kerosene by MB Energy, and refueled into the aircraft at Schiphol Airport. Synthetic sustainable aviation fuel is made using renewable electricity, CO₂, and water, and can reduce lifecycle emissions by more than 90% compared to fossil kerosene.
KLM already pioneered this in 2021 by operating the first commercial flight using synthetic kerosene to Madrid. Whereas 500 liters of e-SAF could be blended then, only 200 liters are being used now. This shows how great the challenge is: the availability of e-SAF still lags far behind ambitions. Today, only a fraction of the e-SAF mandate imposed by Europe for 2030 is actually in production. Making e-SAF widely available and affordable on a large scale remains, alongside SAF, a major challenge.
Alternative fuels as a priority
KLM supports the European mandate for the use of alternative fuels and will continue to invest in making aviation more sustainable. At the same time, current e-SAF production figures show that the European sub-target of a 1.2% e-SAF blend by 2030 is a major challenge. In addition to the fact that e-SAF is currently four times more expensive than SAF (around eight times more expensive than conventional kerosene), there is as yet no e-SAF production on a large scale. The process of obtaining construction and environmental permits in Europe also plays a role, as does uncertainty over possible changes to ReFuelEU legislation. It therefore remains crucial for governments across Europe to commit and invest in accelerating and scaling up alternative aviation fuels, both SAF and e-SAF.
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM: “As CEO of KLM and chair of Project SkyPower, I believe e-SAF can make a real difference in making aviation more sustainable. KLM already pioneered a passenger flight on e-SAF in 2021, from Amsterdam to Madrid. Today’s flight to Hamburg once again shows that flying on synthetic kerosene is technically possible. But the reality is that the availability of e-SAF lags far behind ambition. To truly make a difference, we must work together with governments, industry, and partners on scaling up and affordability in order to accelerate the sustainability of aviation.”
Christian Kunsch, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hamburg Airport: “Sustainably produced aviation fuels will play an important role in decarbonizing aviation in the coming years. Our infrastructure is fully ready, and we actively support airlines in the use of locally produced blends, including through targeted incentives. Today’s e-SAF flight marks an important milestone on the path toward lower CO₂ emissions through the use of alternative fuels.”
Tim Boeltken, Co-founder and CEO of INERATEC: “We are ready to deliver. Today’s flight, with our Chief Commercial Officer Maximilian Backhaus on board during a regular passenger service, clearly shows that power-to-liquid fuels are safe, available, and already operationally viable today. This is just the beginning of many applications we will see this year across various sectors.”
Jonathan Perkins, CEO at MB Energy: “Aviation has long been at the forefront of technological innovation.
With this operation, together with KLM and Ineratec, we are showing how lower carbon aviation fuels can be
integrated into existing infrastructure and operations. At MB Energy, we are laying the foundation today – preparing routes
to market for new fuels, adapting our infrastructure, and ensuring stable supply lines. When our customers are ready, we can deliver what they need, when they need it.”