KLM and SkyNRG advance sustainable aviation with SAF facility

KLM and SkyNRG have begun construction of the Netherlands’ first dedicated SAF production facility, marking a major milestone in scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel and supporting aviation’s decarbonisation.

Summary:

KLM and SkyNRG have begun construction of the Netherlands’ first facility dedicated exclusively to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.
From 2028, KLM will purchase at least 75,000 tonnes of SAF annually – 75% of the plant’s total output – under a long-term commitment worth nearly €3 billion.
The project marks a major step in scaling SAF production, supporting aviation’s decarbonisation through increased availability of lower-emissions fuel.

KLM and SkyNRG have announced the start of construction of the first facility in the Netherlands fully dedicated to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). KLM was a co-founder of SkyNRG in 2009 and has been closely involved in developing the SAF market from the outset. Beginning in 2028, the plant is expected to produce its first volumes of SAF. KLM has committed to purchasing at least 75,000 tons annually – representing 75% of the plant’s total output – amounting to a sustainability commitment of nearly €3 billion. Through this commitment, KLM is playing a key role in enabling the project.

For many years, KLM has invested in making aviation cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient. In addition to fleet renewal, SAF is one of the most effective ways to significantly reduce aviation’s CO₂ emissions. While SAF produces the same CO₂ emissions during flight as fossil kerosene, its total lifecycle emissions – from production to combustion – are significantly lower, reducing CO₂ by at least 65% and up to more than 90% compared to conventional kerosene.

“As the first airline in the world, our long-term offtake agreement directly contributes to the financing and realisation of this facility,” said Marjan Rintel, CEO, KLM. “Today, together with SkyNRG and other invited guests, we mark a milestone by celebrating the start of construction, making this project finally tangible. I am proud that KLM, as a co-founder of SkyNRG and the largest purchaser of the fuel, is taking an important step in scaling up SAF production in the Netherlands and further advancing the sustainability of aviation.”

While this plant is an important milestone, further efforts are needed to accelerate production and make SAF more widely available and affordable. It is therefore encouraging that the new coalition agreement includes plans to expand alternative aviation fuels and support SAF production in the Netherlands.

“We are proud to take this step together with KLM and our partners, whose long-term commitment has helped make this project possible,” said Maarten van Dijk, CEO, SkyNRG. “DSL-01 is an important step toward scaling SAF production and accelerating the transition to more sustainable aviation.”