Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has launched the world’s first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programme for the airfreight industry, enabling freight forwarders and shippers to reduce their CO₂ emissions.
“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,” urges Adriaan den Heijer, EVP of Air France-KLM Cargo & managing director of Martinair.
The first step towards a carbon-free future is carbon-neutral growth in our industry, which implies there should be no increase in CO₂ emissions despite traffic growth. Investing in SAF is a necessary step in this process and one of the primary instruments in reducing CO₂ emissions.
In June 2011, KLM operated the world’s first commercial flight using SAF, from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Shortly thereafter, the company began offering corporate customers the option of compensating for CO₂ emissions from business travel by investing in SAF.
SAF is still not widely available, which is why KLM have set up the programme for shippers and forwarders, to stimulate and enlarge the market for SAF. Investment will help to further develop SAF and the market for SAF, but also to put SAF higher on the agenda of all stakeholders.
This new programme will enable AFKLM Martinair to team up with shippers and forwarders who share a commitment to sustainability, making SAF more widely available at a more reasonable price, competing with standard jet fuel.
The Cargo SAF Programme enables shippers and forwarders to power a percentage of their flights with SAF. Customers determine their own level of engagement and it is ensured that their entire investment is used for sourcing SAF. When investing in SAF, customers will receive a third-party audited report, justifying the purchased volume of SAF in relation to traffic and indicating the reduction in CO₂ emissions achieved. By participating in the Cargo SAF Programme, 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,” the company commented.
