Several environmental groups have launched legal action against Dutch airline KLM over advertisements that promoted flying as a sustainable form of travel. Netherlands based campaigners Fossielvrij NL, supported by Reclame Fossielvrij and environmental lawyers from ClientEarth, said they think the lawsuit is the first to challenge alleged “greenwashing” by the airline industry. The groups claim KLM violated European consumer law by misleading customers with ads and a carbon offset program that “give a false impression over the sustainability of its flights and plans to address its climate harm.” “KLM’s marketing misleads consumers into believing that its flights won’t worsen the climate emergency. But this is a myth,” Hiske Arts, a campaigner at Fossielvrij NL, said. The airline did not immediately response to an email seeking comment. The groups notified KLM in May that they planned to file the lawsuit. It focuses on the airline’s “Fly Responsibly” campaign and its statement that KLM was committed to “the targets defined in the Paris Climate Agreement.” “The lawsuit will argue that these claims are highly misleading, since KLM’s plan for continual increases in flying is at odds with the rapid and deep emissions reductions across all sectors which (a U.N. panel) says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown,” ClientEarth said.<br/>
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Garuda Indonesia is pitching a "strategic partnership" with Gulf airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways now that it has secured 7.5t rupiah ($499.3m) in government support and after averting bankruptcy. Indonesian State Enterprise Minister Erick Thohir traveled to the United Arab Emirates last week, where he met separately with top executives of Emirates and Etihad. His visit coincided with that of President Joko Widodo, who stopped in Abu Dhabi on Friday to witness the signing of the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Widodo was on his way home from Europe. "No good intentions will end in vain," Thohir posted on his official Instagram account after a meeting with Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Etihad. "Our efforts to restructure Garuda Indonesia have been met with extraordinary appreciation from several parties -- including Etihad." He added that he was "optimistic" that the discussions could lead to a strategic partnership between Garuda and Etihad, including efforts to boost tourism between Indonesia and the UAE. Thohir also discussed "a potential strategic partnership" and tourism ideas with Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates. Thohir during the meetings was accompanied by Garuda CEO Irfan Setiaputra and Indonesia Investment Authority CEO Ridha Wirakusumah. The INA is the Southeast Asian country's first wealth fund. Thohir, however, said earlier this week that there is still a "long" way to go and that it is still "too early" to tell if either potential partnership will materialize. "The first important step is to have the government present, Thohir said. "That will give a strategic partner confidence" about the state-owned airline's future. Emirates did not respond specifically to Garuda's new strategic partnership pitch, details of which have not been disclosed. An Emirates representative said it already has an agreement with Garuda -- a code-share partnership that was launched in March.<br/>