KLM flies sustainably to new destination Växjö

Starting 14 May 2018, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is flying to Växjö, Sweden every day and does so as sustainable as possible. This means KLM not only purchases sustainable biojet fuel for the route, it also compensates the total remaining carbon dioxide emissions of all flights through KLM's CO2ZERO service.

“

KLM is involved intensively in flying as environment friendly as possible, for instance, by investing in sustainable biojet fuel. I am pleased that KLM and Växjö Småland Airport are compensating jointly for the total CO₂ emissions of flights to and from Växjö. This makes Växjö – our most sustainable destination – a valuable addition to the KLM network. It is one more step towards making aviation more sustainable, in which cooperation with local partners is crucial. Support from other companies, governments, and other airlines is necessary if we are to make aviation truly sustainable.

KLM President & CEO, Pieter Elbers

„

Biojet fuel on the Växjö route
KLM has been using sustainable biojet fuel since 2009 and uses it in part for all flights from Los Angeles because it is the only place with a refinery. To make flights to Växjö as sustainable as possible, KLM is investing in 120,000 litres of biojet fuel per year to the new Swedish destination. KLM guarantees that it will purchase 5% biojet fuel based on all flights to and from Växjö. By expanding the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme in Sweden, local companies will be able to invest in sustainable biojet fuel.

Sustainable biojet fuel contributes significantly to making aviation more sustainable, but is still two to three times more expensive than fossil fuel. Södra, Sweden’s largest cooperative of forest owners, based in Växjö, will be the first non-Dutch partner in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme. Together with Södra and the City of Växjö, KLM and SkyNRG will also investigate the feasibility of producing biojet fuel in the region around Växjö.

CO₂ compensation on the Växjö route
As it is not yet possible to fly entirely on sustainable biojet fuel, KLM and Växjö Småland Airport are joining forces to pay jointly for the total CO₂ compensation for flights to and from Växjö. The money will go to the reforestation initiative CO2OL Tropical Mix in Panama, a ‘Gold Standard for the Global Goals’ project. The project converts degraded meadows into mixed forests by planting a mix of native tree species and some exotic species. In addition, the project’s activities create long-term employment thereby providing a sustainable source of income for the local population.

Växjö
Växjö is the capital of the Kronoberg region located in the south of Sweden. The city has an entrepreneurial climate and a renowned university. It is surrounded by beautiful nature, offers a wide range of outdoor activities, and has an excellent gastronomic reputation.

You can find more information about this new destination on our Växjö page.