A biofuel test flight by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today (23rd Novermber) also marked the unveilling of the SkyEnergy consortium set up jointly by the airline, North Sea Petroleum and Spring Associates. The test flight, the first for KLM, used Honeywell UOP's process technology to convert oil from camelina to green jet fuel, or biokerosene, for the flight. One engine of a Boeing 747 was powered by a fuel mixture consisting of a 50/50 mix of the green jet fuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel.

"Biofuels provide an important option to meeting the rapid growth in energy demand, while effectively balancing social and environmental needs," said Jennifer Holmgren, vice president and general manager of UOP's Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit. "KLM shares a vision with UOP and others that green jet fuel can help meet the airline industry's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Johan van de Gronden, director of WWF The Netherlands, which is advising the consortium on ecological aspects: "The establishment of SkyEnergy is a groundbreaking initiative. KLM’s demonstration flight serves as a concrete step towards achieving a more sustainable future. We still have a long way to go in relation to biofuels for aviation, but by investing in this manner KLM is once again taking the lead."

In a statement released at the launch the airline said; "KLM has been involved in biokerosene research since 2007. With the establishment of SkyEnergy, we are accelerating development and hope to achieve a market breakthrough. Within the consortium, we have clustered expertise and experience in legislation, ecology and technology, as well as the ability to develop biokerosene in an economically viable manner. We are moving forward with great resolve, but cannot do it alone. We need the efforts and support of government, industry and broader society."