The Sustainable Flight Challenge
A win-win challenge
The Sustainable Flight Challenge is not really about the rewards. It’s about putting our heads together, being responsible, and finding new ideas and practical solutions. Everyone wins. As members of SkyTeam, we don’t compete on safety, nor should we on sustainability. With this challenge, we want to bring about faster innovation for sustainable aviation. So that reuniting with loved ones on the other side of the world or growing your business in Europe will still be possible in a sustainable way in the future.
Rules, participants and awards
The challenge is for airlines to collaborate on sustainability instead of competing. United we can inspire, accelerate, and change the industry. And meet our ambitious climate goals.
- The challenge is focused on environmental sustainability.
- There are 2 distance categories: long haul > 5000 km and medium-haul 1000 - 5000 km. Airlines may participate in both distances.
- Airlines operate 1 single flight using an existing route per category.
- The challenge starts at the check-in and finishes when passengers pick up their bags at their destination. So, it's not just about an optimal flight, but also about sustainable solutions for freight, supplies, or food.
- Measurements will be compared to the other participating airlines.
- ‘Greatest CO₂ reduction’ awards will be measured against each airline’s own baseline set of reference flights with the same aircraft type in the same distance bound.
- Participating airlines may choose to compensate for any remaining CO₂ emissions from the chosen flights to be carbon neutral.
- Participants in the challenge will be judged in all award categories.
- Participating airlines commit to sharing all innovations on sustainability.
In 2022, 16 of the 19 SkyTeam member airlines will participate in the Sustainable Flight Challenge.
There are 3 main award categories: Impact Awards, Innovation Awards, and Collaboration Awards. The scoring methodology will have a shortlist of 5 finalists and one overall winner.
Impact Awards
- Greatest CO₂ reduction
- Lowest CO₂ emissions (for flight, ground handling and food & beverage)
- Best waste management
Innovation Awards
- Best inflight sustainable innovation
- Best Cargo sustainable innovation
- Best Sustainable Innovation Economic Value
- The Boldest Move
Collaboration Awards
- Best partnerships
- Best customer engagement
- Best employee engagement
Innovation from check-in to baggage belt
We challenge all our colleagues to broaden their perspectives and to think outside the box. For the participating KLM flights, the whole company is taking part and helping. At Cargo, for example, they’re working on the ‘green flower lane’. Flowers arrive from Aalsmeer in solar panel trucks. In our warehouse, they’re handled using electric equipment, reusable covers and recycled plastic. Even crew members are thinking with us: if they usually drive to the airport by car, they now will take a train or drive electrically.
Share knowledge
After the Challenge, all participating airlines will share best practices and knowledge in a post-flight event. Participants can partake in workshops about waste management, optimum flight routes, sustainable ground handling, and cargo. And of course, the prizes will be awarded.
What is SkyTeam?
KLM is part of SkyTeam, a global network of 19 airlines working together to provide millions of passengers with the very best travel experience. We aim to challenge ourselves, each other, and the industry to innovate. We want a sustainable future for aviation and innovation is part of that. Innovation will help us to transition from flying more to flying better.
Pushing boundaries in 2023
In 2023, the Sustainable Flight Challenge will once more be hosted by SkyTeam. Apart from SkyTeam members, other airlines will also be invited to participate. Sharing and using existing innovations in the industry on a large scale will impact sustainable flying. It will push the boundaries. And we are planning to raise the bar every year when the Sustainable Flight Challenge takes place!