AFKLMMP Cargo lifts sustainable aviation fuel programme to the next level by welcoming new partners

VIJFHUIZEN, Netherlands: Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMMP Cargo) – the company which was among the first airlines to launch a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme for cargo in December 2020 – has lifted sustainable aviation fuel to the next level. At this week IFTF show in Vijfhuizen, Netherlands AFKLMMP Cargo proudly announced that specialised forwarder of flowers and vegetables Airflo and TigerFreight have joined its SAF programme.  

By joining, Airflo and Tiger Freight will reduce the carbon emissions that they produce shipping flowers and perishables. This partnership will make it possible to use sustainable aviation fuel on AFKLMP Cargo flights from Kenya and Zimbabwe carrying Airflo’s and Tiger Freight’s fresh agricultural and horticultural products.

At this year’s IFTF show (3-5 November), GertJan Roelands, Senior Vice President Sales & Distribution Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, and CEO of Airflo and Tiger Freight, Andrew Pattenden put their signatures to the agreement stipulating a fixed annual investment from Airflo and Tiger Freight.

This will enable AFKLMMP Cargo to further expand the development and procurement of SAF. Airflo’s and Tiger Freight’s contribution will be used to cover the difference in price between traditional jet fuel and sustainable fuel.

GertJan Roelands says, “I am delighted to welcome Airflo and Tiger to our SAF programme and I would like to thank them for taking this step forward in further reducing their carbon footprint for airfreight. So far we have welcomed 26 partners to our SAF programme this year. We have seen an uptick in interest and a rapidly growing demand for SAF in recent months.”

Pier Luigi Vigada, Director Eastern & Southern Africa at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo says, “Committing to a Sustainable Aviation Fuel programme means understanding the concept, sharing the values and involving our customers. Doing that in the horticultural business environment, where margins are low and complexities are high, is a hard task. Airflo, Tiger Freight and their CEO Andrew Pattenden, have fully embraced the project and will be supporting Air France KLM Martinair Cargo in their SAF investments for 2022, both from Kenya and Zimbabwe. We are very pleased to welcome them on board. Their professionalism and dedication will be supported by a decreased carbon footprint in transporting their customers products from Nairobi and Harare”.

Andy Pattenden, Chief Executive of the Airflo and Tiger Freight businesses adds: “It’s critically important for us at Airflo and Tiger, that we work with all stakeholders in our industry to bring about a more sustainable future. Given that AFKLMP Cargo provides the cornerstone to our freighter programmes from both Kenya and Zimbabwe, their industry leading SAF programme is the ideal platform for us to support. Our participation in the AFKLMP SAF programme will go a long way in supporting those sustainability initiatives that we are building with our customers, amongst my colleagues and across our businesses.”

SAF is a jet fuel made from renewable sources, such as cooking oil. It is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel that reduces carbon emissions by a minimum of 75 per cent. It is blended with conventional fossil fuel and can be used by all aircraft engines. The AFKLMP Cargo SAF programme enables different stakeholders in the logistical airfreight industry to power a percentage of their flights with SAF. Customers determine their own level of engagement and we ensure that their entire investment is used to source SAF. By participating in AFKLMMP Cargo’s programme,  customers not only reduce their own carbon footprint, but confirm their commitment to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future.