Air France-KLM raises fares to fund shift to sustainable fuels

Air France-KLM will apply a surcharge to its tickets prices to help fund the extra cost of using sustainable aviation fuel, going beyond voluntary measures that have so far prevailed in the industry. The move will add between E1 and E12 (NZ$1.67-$20) to the cost of a flight depending on the distance travelled and the class, according to a statement on Monday, the first day the extra charges will apply. "In the absence of industrial production, the cost of using sustainable aviation fuels is four to eight times higher than that of fossil fuels," Air France-KLM said, adding that the fee will apply to flights at both its French and Dutch arms. Airlines are turning to SAF to shrink their carbon footprints in the decade or more before hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered jetliners become widely available. At the same time the fuel, which requires feedstocks such as algae and cooking oil or synthetic processing methods, remains in short supply. Air France-KLM will apply a surcharge to its tickets prices to help fund the extra cost of using sustainable aviation fuel.<br/>