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Delta plans to start receiving shipments of renewable fuel feedstocks at its Trainer, Pennsylvania, refinery as part of a strategy that could reduce its environmental liabilities by hundreds of millions of dollars, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The move suggests a shift in strategy for Delta subsidiary Monroe Energy, which in the past has been among the smaller refiners that have tried to pressure the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House to reform biofuel laws. The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard requires refiners to blend an increasing volume of biofuels into the nation’s fuel pool each year or buy compliance credits from those who do. Delta bought the Pennsylvania oil refinery 10 years ago in order to save money on jet fuel costs, the first-ever purchase of a refinery by an airline. The refinery is expected to start importing agricultural products such as soybean oil, which can be used to make a biomass-based diesel that satisfies federal blending requirements.Delta declined to comment, but referenced its most recent climate lobbying report, which states that Monroe is evaluating producing sustainable aviation fuel and other renewable fuels after conducting additional economic and operational analysis.<br/>

Airline company KLM, which is part of Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA), criticised as "disappointing" on Friday a decision by Amsterdam's ‍Schipho​l airport to place further curbs on the number of departing passengers. Short notice of the move would affect its passengers and reputation, the firm said. "KLM will make every effort to ensure that passengers who have already booked tickets will in fact be able to travel," it said, adding that those willing to fly later could rebook flights at no extra cost. Airport authorities had said daily passenger flow would be cut by 18% until at least Oct. 31 because of labour shortages.<br/>