Dutch flagship carrier KLM has outlined its plans to operate a biofuel-powered intercontinental flight from the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York to the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
Flight KL642, a Boeing 777-200, will be powered by sustainable biofuel and operate each Thursday starting March 2013.
The initiative is in collaboration with the Schiphol Group, Delta Air Lines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and underscores the airlines commitment to use sustainable biofuel on a regular basis.
Commenting on the developments Dutch Economic Affairs minister Henk Kamp said that the biofuel powered air transportation will make the company’s operations sustainable and will further boost opportunities for other companies in the country.
Schiphol CEO Jos Nijhuis added, "Alongside this biofuel series we are starting a study to further identify sustainability gains in fuel, weight and CO2 reduction throughout the entire flight process.
"We are striving to achieve the ‘optimal flight’ together with research institutes, suppliers, airports, and air traffic control. We are combining new and existing technology, processes, and efficiency initiatives to achieve this."
Earlier in June 2012, the company has operated a longest biofuel flight from Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro.
In addition, KLM has collaborated with the World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands to provide a sustainable airline industry by reducing CO2 emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and investing in innovations such as sustainable biofuel.