In 1946, KLM became the first European carrier to connect Europe and the United States on a regular basis. Today, New York and Amsterdam unite once again to launch the first ever series of Intercontinental biofuel flights.
A KLM Boeing 777-200, fueled in part by biofuel which is derived from used cooking oil and blended into conventional fuels, departed JFK for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on Friday evening as part of a 25-week pilot program.
“I cannot stress how special this moment is. The first series of transatlantic biofuel flights ever between New York and Amsterdam is very symbolical. It underscores the strong partnership of the airport of JFK and the Port Authority and the airport of Amsterdam,” said Camiel Eurlings, KLM’s Managing Director. “A strong partnership between KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and our partner over-the-ocean, Delta Airlines, is a very symbolical underscore of the old and strong ties between New York, [which was] once New Amsterdam, and Amsterdam. Those ties go back more than 400 years and in aviation they go back to the year 1946.”
KLM Boeing 777-200 (PH-BQG) taxis to the terminal for Friday’s biofuel event.
The cowling on engine #1 proudly shows off all of the partners that helped make this blue aircraft much greener.
