KLM is applying for Single European Sky 2+, which would reduce CO2 emissions by up to 10%!
In Europe, borders on the ground have disappeared, but not in the air. Pilots currently have to fly thousands of extra kilometers through Europe's fragmented airspace. A route between Amsterdam and Geneva is 120 km longer compared to the optimal route if the present airworthiness regulations were to disappear.
"If we fly more direct and efficient routes, we can reduce CO emissions2 by 6% to 10% in Europe. We would also get passengers to their destinations faster.” said a KLM official.
KLM wants a single European airspace (Single European Sky 2+). The Single European Sky would contribute directly to aviation's collective ambition to reduce emissions. In addition to investments in fleet renewal, sustainable fuels and efficient ground operations, the Sky European 2+ initiative is necessary for KLM to achieve its sustainability goals.
"Flying more direct routes to Europe could reduce CO2 emissions by between 6% and 10%. This is a huge opportunity for Brussels to achieve this CO2 reduction. It is very positive to see how focused our pilots are on flying as efficiently as possible, saving fuel and reducing emissions. The Single European Sky is a crucial piece of the puzzle for reducing CO2 emissions in Europe in the short term." says KLM CEO Marjan Rintel.
KLM is strongly committed to making aviation more sustainable.Working with Science Based Targets (SBTi) to bring CO2 in line with aviation's trajectory to keep global warming well below 2°C as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
In the European context, KLM supports the Fit for 55 package, which really helps the aviation industry to become more sustainable. KLM is also a signatory to the Sustainable Aviation Agreement in the Netherlands, where concrete CO2 reduction plans have been agreed.