KLM launched a special flight from Amsterdam Schiphol to Singapore on October 22 as part of The Aviation Challenge.
This SkyTeam initiative challenges airlines to minimize their environmental footprint while maintaining regular operations. Participating airlines share their findings to help the industry reduce its overall environmental impact.
As part of its program, KLM is actively testing various innovations during flights to evaluate and potentially implement them as standard practices.
Pre-Flight Preparations
KLM implemented several eco-friendly measures before takeoff. The airline is testing lightweight cardboard cargo pallets to replace traditional ones, potentially saving 150kg per flight. This change could reduce annual CO2 emissions by nearly 0.05% (6 kilotons) across Scope 1 and 3 emissions.
The airline has made significant strides in ground operations by implementing comprehensive electric systems.
In a notable change to standard procedures, aircraft are now towed further toward the runway, allowing for delayed engine startup and saving approximately 400kg of fuel per flight. This extended towing practice is being evaluated in real operational conditions to assess its broader implementation potential.
Weight distribution has become another focal point for efficiency improvements. The airline’s loading teams now carefully optimize cargo and baggage placement to create a slight lift under the aircraft’s nose, reducing air resistance and improving overall flight efficiency.
To combat food waste, World Business Class passengers are now required to pre-order their meals, enabling precise catering calculations.
The airline has also launched a passenger awareness campaign promoting lighter packing habits. These initiatives have shown promising results in reducing both weight and waste.
Digital transformation efforts have yielded impressive results. The airline’s push toward electronic boarding passes led to an 84% reduction in paper usage since May 2024. This significant decrease demonstrates passengers’ willingness to embrace more sustainable travel practices.
In-Flight Innovations
During the flight, KLM demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through several innovative measures.
The airline has introduced new lightweight tableware in World Business Class, an improvement that originated from the 2022 Challenge. This seemingly small change saves 5kg per flight, translating to an annual reduction of 150 tons in CO2 emissions across KLM’s entire fleet.
The airline’s iconic miniature house gifts have also received an eco-friendly makeover. World Business Class passengers now receive lightweight 3D-printed versions instead of the traditional porcelain houses. This further reduced the flight’s overall weight.
Passengers can now purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) during their flight, expanding on the previous option of pre-flight purchases only. While the SAF purchased during the flight isn’t used immediately, it contributes to KLM’s future sustainable fuel usage.
The cabin crew showcases KLM’s commitment to sustainability through their uniforms. Made from recycled PET materials, the new attire features enhanced stretch properties for improved comfort during service.
The crew continues to wear their sustainable KLM sneakers, produced in partnership with Filling Pieces, completing their eco-conscious uniform.
About the Aviation Challenge
This modern initiative draws inspiration from the 1934 World’s Greatest Air Race from London to Melbourne. While that historic race focused on connecting distant locations, today’s challenge addresses a different goal: sustainable aviation operations.
Through SkyTeam’s initiative, airlines compete to minimize their environmental impact while maintaining regular commercial services.
This collaborative approach to sustainability demonstrates the aviation industry’s commitment to finding innovative solutions for environmental challenges while maintaining high service standards.
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