“That’s why with the launch of the ‘Fly Responsibly’ initiative, we invite others to use our CO2Zero-programme for carbon compensation free of charge and free of brand, and partner in our corporate BIO-fuel programme.”
It might be unusual, but an airline chief is asking people whether they need to fly, or might the train – or a video call - be a better outcome.
KLM, the Royal Dutch airline which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has launched a campaign inviting the world to "fly responsibly".
An open letter from the airline’s chief executive, Pieter Elbers invites other airlines "to work together to create a sustainable future for aviation".
“Sustainable development in aviation is not a ‘one-airline-topic’ and actual progress will only be made when we work together as an industry,” Elbers said.
“That’s why with the launch of the ‘Fly Responsibly’ initiative, we invite others to use our CO2Zero-programme for carbon compensation free of charge and free of brand, and partner in our corporate BIO-fuel programme.”
Elbers went on to ask, “Do you always need to meet face to face? Could you take the train instead? Could you offset [the carbon emissions of the flight]?
“We are not saying don’t fly. We are saying fly responsibly. Do it but do it considerately.”
Elbers suggested the biggest challenge facing the aviation industry “is to keep our licence to operate”. To do that, he said, “We must make sure we operate in a good way.”
The aviation industry accounts for two to three percent of the man-made CO2 emissions in the world.