KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced a significant milestone in its decarbonisation efforts with a new offtake and partnership agreement with SkyNRG, a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This pioneering deal represents the first sizable offtake and partnership arrangement in Europe's emerging SAF market, enabling SkyNRG to deliver one of the largest SAF projects on the continent. The collaboration marks a critical step toward achieving KLM's sustainability goals both regionally and globally, positioning the airline as one of Europe's early adopters in substantial SAF development.
KLM's CEO, Marjan Rintel, remarked on the partnership: “We are proud of our collaboration with SkyNRG, where, as co-founder and co-investor, we have contributed to the first complete SAF factory in the Netherlands. This initiative is a concrete move to accelerate SAF production within the Netherlands and to maintain our leadership in sustainable aviation.”
Alexander Chenery, a partner at A&O Shearman, commented on the transaction: “We are proud to have contributed to this landmark deal, representing a significant step for KLM’s decarbonisation ambitions and a critical development for the European SAF sector. Our multidisciplinary team across multiple jurisdictions supported KLM in all aspects of this partnership with SkyNRG.”
The complex, multi-jurisdictional legal advisory was led by London-based partner Alexander Chenery and senior associate Marjet van Bezooijen from Amsterdam, with support from Zeeger de Jongh, Cees van Ginneken, Eveline Jansen, and Simon Heerschop. This collaboration underscores the strategic importance and innovative approach of the involved organizations in advancing sustainable aviation fuel production in Europe.
