Airline Sustainability Indexed

Air France-KLM has been confirmed Leader for sustainable development for 2010 and remains in the two Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, DJSI World and DJSI Europe, for the sixth year running, according to a press release issued by the group.

Since it was set up in 2004, the group has been confirmed every year as leader in the air transport sector and has been recognised, for the second time, as being the most responsible company, super sector leader, in the “transport and leisure” sector.

“With this recognition, which is an honour for us, Air France-KLM is illustrating its willingness to assume its social and environmental responsibilities. We will continue to be the benchmark for sustainable development in our industry: an ambition which measures up to the important place we occupy in the global air transport industry,” Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM, declared.

“I am proud that we have been able to hold on to this position, despite the difficult times we are going through. It is a terrific achievement — proof positive of the successful collaboration between our two companies. We achieved this together and it is a fantastic acknowledgement of everyone’s hard work” Peter Hartman, KLM President & CEO, comfirmed.

The DJSI World groups 10 percent of the leading companies in terms of sustainable development, among 2500 companies in 22 countries worldwide.

Both the DJSI World and DJSI Europe indexes select the leading companies in this field, following a review process conducted by the Swiss group SAM (Sustainable Asset Management Indexes GmbH).

Air France-KLM is also part of the extra-financial indexes Aspi Eurozone, Ethibel Sustainability Index (ESI) Global Excellence and FTSE4Good.

Air France-KLM’s sustainable development report for the financial year 2009-10 can be consulted here.

Dutch sustainable air transport

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operated its first ever passenger flight powered by sustainable biokerosene this Monday. To give an extra impulse to sustainable air transport, the airline company also joined hands with North Sea Petroleum and Spring Associates to establish the SkyEnergy consortium.

“KLM leads the sustainability drive in global aviation. The Netherlands should make good use of this leading position to ensure clean, silent and sustainable air transport worldwide,” said KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman, according to a company-issued press release. “This is technically feasible. We have demonstrated that it is possible. Government, industry and society at large must now join forces to ensure that we quickly gain access to a continuous supply of biofuel.

KLM founded SkyEnergy together with North Sea Petroleum and Spring Associates. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will advise the consortium in relation to ecological aspects.

The development of biokerosene is a quest that KLM is pursuing in accordance with strict financial, technological and ecological criteria.

“The food chain may not be jeopardised, and production of biokerosene should not go hand in hand with deforestation or excessive water consumption,” said Mr Hartman, adding: “The conservation of biodiversity is, of course, also a precondition. Our cooperation with WWF is both important and inspirational.”

Johan van de Gronden, director of WWF The Netherlands: “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.”

“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.”

KLM and Air France are jointly pursuing an ambitious Climate Action Plan. The fruits of this endeavour are exemplified by the fact that Air France KLM has been the sector leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for five consecutive years.