KLM Cityhopper has operated a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Hamburg using a 5% blend of e-SAF produced by Ineratec, in what the consortium described as the first flight of its kind in Germany.
eSAF (electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a synthetic, zero-carbon jet fuel manufactured by combining captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) with green hydrogen, powered by renewable electricity.
The blend was refueled into the aircraft at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
The fuel originated at Ineratec’s Era One plant, which the consortium described as Europe’s first commercial-scale Power-to-Liquid facility. Synthetic kerosene of this type can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional kerosene, according to the consortium.
The flight aimed to demonstrate that e-SAF blends can be integrated safely into regular passenger operations using existing fueling infrastructure, and that the production-to-use value chain can be implemented under real-world conditions.
Despite the milestone, the consortium acknowledged that overall availability of synthetic aviation fuel remains limited, with only a fraction of the volumes required under European ReFuelEU 2030 targets currently in production. Many announced facilities have not yet reached final investment decision.
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, said, “e-SAF can make a real difference in the decarbonization of aviation. The flight to Hamburg once again shows that flying on synthetic kerosene is technically possible.
“But the reality is that the availability of e-SAF lags far behind the ambition. To truly make a difference, we must work together with governments, industry and partners on scaling up and improving affordability in order to accelerate the sustainability transition of aviation.”
Tim Boeltken, co-founder and CEO at Ineratec, said, “We are ready to deliver. This flight demonstrates that power-to-liquid fuels are safe, available, and therefore fully operational today.
“This proof will be just the first of many that we will see this year with our products across various industries.”
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, Ineratec develops modular Power-to-X plants that convert renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels and chemicals.
The Hamburg flight forms part of a wider European push to scale alternative aviation fuel ahead of mandates under ReFuelEU legislation, which ramps up levels of SAF in fuel over the coming years.
