Today, KLM Cityhopper, INERATEC, Hamburg Airport and MB Energy jointly operated a passenger flight between Amsterdam and Hamburg using a blend of alternative aviation fuel (formerly referred to as “SAF” or “e-SAF”. The fuel, made in Europe using European technology, was integrated into regular flight operations via existing infrastructure. This flight on a synthetic kerosene blend in Germany is an important signal for what is technically feasible today, while also highlighting the ongoing need to scale production and increase availability.
The synthetic kerosene was produced and hydrotreated by INERATEC, then distilled and blended with fossil kerosene by MB Energy at ASG Analytik-Service, before being refuelled into the aircraft at Amsterdam Airport. Produced from hydrogen and CO₂, the fuel originates from INERATEC’s ERA ONE production plant, Europe’s first commercial-scale Power-to-Liquid facility. Alternative synthetic kerosene has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90 % compared to conventional kerosene. The flight operated using a fuel blend containing 5 % synthetic kerosene.
This flight demonstrates that alternative synthetic kerosene blends are technically feasible and can be used safely in regular passenger operations today. It also shows that the entire value chain from production and blending to refuelling and use in commercial aviation can be implemented under real-world conditions.
At the same time, the flight highlights the scale of the challenge ahead. In partnership with the airline, MB Energy is supplying the conventional jet fuel, providing the blending services for the alternative aviation fuel and managing transport to Amsterdam Airport – an important step towards integrating alternative fuels into regular passenger operations. Yet overall availability remains limited: today, only a fraction of the volumes required to meet European 2030 targets is actually in production. And although the project pipeline is strong and growing, many announced plants have not yet reached final investment decision. Accelerating these projects will be crucial to closing the gap between ambition and supply.
Call to the government: make alternative fuels a priority
KLM and INERATEC support European sustainability goals and will continue to invest in the transformation of aviation. At the same time, it is essential that policy ambitions remain stable and that governments create the conditions to turn production projects into reality. Current production figures show that the 2030 EU sub-mandate for e-SAF will be challenging to achieve without urgent action. Construction and environmental permitting in the Netherlands, and in many other European countries remains a challenge, and there is uncertainty regarding potential changes to ReFuelEU legislation. Therefore, it remains crucial that the governments across Europe also commit and invest to enable the acceleration and scaling-up of alternative aviation fuels.
Jonathan Perkins, CEO at MB Energy: “Aviation has long been at the forefront of technological innovation. With this operation, together with KLM and Ineratec, we are showing how lower carbon aviation fuels can be integrated into existing infrastructure and operations. At MB Energy, we are laying the foundation today – preparing routes to market for new fuels, adapting our infrastructure, and ensuring stable supply lines. When our customers are ready, we can deliver what they need, when they need it.”
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM: “As CEO of KLM and Chair of Project SkyPower, I believe that e-SAF can make a real difference in the decarbonization of aviation. KLM already pioneered a passenger flight on e-SAF in 2021, from Amsterdam to Madrid. The flight to Hamburg once again shows that flying on synthetic kerosene is technically possible. But the reality is that the availability of e-SAF lags far behind the ambition. To truly make a difference, we must work together with governments, industry and partners on scaling up and improving affordability in order to accelerate the sustainability transition of aviation.”
Christian Kunsch, Chairman of the Executive Board at Hamburg Airport: „Sustainably produced aviation fuel will be the most important component in decarbonizing aviation in the coming years. Our infrastructure is ready for use. And we support airlines in using locally produced blends by offering incentives for sustainable aviation fuels in our fees. Today’s flight using e-SAF is a milestone on the path to an aviation industry with lower CO2 emissions through the use of alternative fuels.”
Tim Boeltken, co-founder and CEO at INERATEC: “We are ready to deliver. Maximilian Backhaus, our Chief Commercial Officer has been on board our e-SAF flight, in regular passenger service. This flight demonstrates that power-to-liquid fuels are safe, available, and therefore fully operational today. This proof will be just the first of many that we will see this year with our products across various industries.”
About MB Energy
The MB Energy Group, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Hamburg, is an independent, integrated energy company with operations across Europe, the United States, and Singapore. The company engages in the import, storage, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products, LPG, chemicals, and biofuels. With decades of industry experience and forward-looking approach, MB Energy plays an active role in the global energy landscape and supports the transition to lower emissions fuels through the development and provision of future-oriented alternatives.
About INERATEC
INERATEC is committed to defossilizing and decarbonizing the world. The company produces e-Fuels and e-Chemicals: carbon-neutral fossil fuel substitutes for use in aviation, shipping and chemical industries. Its modular, scalable plants use renewable hydrogen and CO2 to produce synthetic kerosene, gasoline, diesel, waxes or methanol. INERATEC has just opened Europe’s largest e-Fuels plant to date, in Frankfurt, which will produce up to 2,500 tonnes of synthetic fuel per year. The company is based in Karlsruhe, Germany and backed by a diverse group of international investors. www.ineratec.com
About KLM
For 106 years, KLM has been connecting people with each other and the world. Tens of millions of customers choose to fly KLM every year, for business, leisure, visiting friends or family, to study abroad, et cetera. The 160+ destinations in the KLM network connect the Netherlands with all of the world’s key economic regions and is a powerful economic engine. At the same time, we want to fly cleaner, quieter and more efficient. Every day we take big and small steps towards achieving this ambition so that we can continue to be a great airline for our customers for the centuries to come. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is part of the Air France–KLM Group and member of the global SkyTeam Alliance. For more information about KLM, please visit www.KLM.com, KLM Newsroom, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About Hamburg Airport
Hamburg Airport is the largest international commercial airport in northern Germany and the fifth largest in Germany. In 2024, around 14.83 million passengers used the airport. Around 55 airlines connect Hamburg with around 120 national and international direct destinations in around 40 countries all year round - over 1,000 destinations worldwide can be reached with just one change. With more than 60 stores, restaurants, travel agencies and leisure facilities, Hamburg Airport is like a “city within a city” and creates a diverse offering for travelers and visitors.