French-Dutch carrier Air France KLM Martinair (AFKLMP) Cargo will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on flights from Nairobi in Kenya to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, carrying Total Touch Cargo (TTC) Holland agricultural and horticultural products under its sustainable aviation fuel programme.

SAF is a jet fuel made from renewable sources such as cooking oil and serves as a sustainable  alternative to fossil fuel that reduces carbon emissions by at least 75% and develop a more viable market for SAF. The fuel is blended with conventional fossil fuel and can be used by all aircraft engines. The AFKLMP Cargo SAF programme enables different stakeholders in the airfreight industry to power a percentage of their flights with SAF. Customers determine their own level of engagement and the carrier ensures that their entire investment is used for sourcing SAF.

AFKLMP vice president Africa Bénédicte Duval (right) welcomed TTC owner Harry van der Plas (left) at the carrier’s headquarters at Schiphol to sign the agreement, which includes a fixed annual investment from Total Touch that will allow it to further expand development and procurement of SAF. TTC’s contribution will be used to cover the cost differential between conventional aircraft fuel and SAF.

TTC specialises in the air transport of fresh flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruit and fish and has been playing an instrumental role in  developing the “cold chain” industry from Kenya. Ithas its own airside warehousing and cold storage facilities, in a joint venture with Kenya Airways, at the Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi. It ships around 350 tonnes a week from Kenya throughout the year.

Pier Luigi Vigada, director Eastern & Southern Africa at AFKLMP said: “We are delighted that a professional company like Total Touch Cargo and its visionary chief executive Harry van der Plas have teamed up with us. Total Touch Cargo is the first Freight Forwarding agent in Africa to  commit to our SAF programme. Its vision on sustainability and enthusiasm about our programme form part of a clear path to make the airfreight industry for daily commodities, a cleaner and more sustainable one.”

Harry van der Plas added: “The SAF programme fits in perfectly with our vision and drive to be a first-mover in relation to innovative industry developments, as well as maintaining a focused strategy to be a distinguished service provider with top-quality airlines and long-term relationships to achieve optimal customer satisfaction.”