KLM Tests Desalinated Seawater on Flights from Amsterdam

dailyblitz.de 2 hours ago

AMSTERDAM- The Netherlands receives 217 rainy days yearly and 30 to 35 inches of annual rainfall, ensuring ample freshwater supplies. Yet, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), promotes desalinated seawater for passengers to advance sustainability goals.

This initiative partners with local innovators to deliver eco-friendly bottled water on select flights. KLM tests the concept through its subsidiary KLM Cityhopper (WA), prioritizing reduced environmental impact over traditional sourcing.

KLM Tests Desalinated Seawater on Flights

Reported by PYOK, brothers Tammo and Jort Wildschut launched their desalination venture after witnessing Cape Town’s (CPT) severe 2018 drought during a surfing trip in the Atlantic Ocean.

The city, encircled by seawater yet crippled by shortages, inspired them to rethink access to clean water.

They founded SEA Water in 2022, building compact solar-powered plants along the Dutch coast that use 100% renewable energy.

These plants employ reverse osmosis, a filtration method that pushes seawater through membranes to remove salt. Traditional setups demand high energy from fossil fuels and chemicals, driving up costs and emissions.

SEA Water’s system boosts efficiency by 75%, making potable water viable for broader markets beyond wealthy, arid regions. The brothers package it in recyclable glass bottles and aluminum cans, now stocked in Dutch supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes.

Desalination proves essential in water-scarce areas. Middle Eastern nations like Qatar, operating from Doha (DOH), rely on it as their primary freshwater source despite high operational expenses.

Gulf countries invest heavily in large-scale plants, but developing regions like South Africa face barriers due to limited funds and infrastructure. SEA Water’s model lowers entry costs, potentially easing droughts in vulnerable spots worldwide.

Airline Adoption Drives Greener Skies

KLM (KL) integrates SEA Water to replace longstanding ties with mineral water supplier SPA Reine, signaling a shift toward circular economy practices.

The airline starts small, serving it on KLM Cityhopper (WA) regional routes within Europe. This trial assesses passenger acceptance and logistics, with full rollout hinging on positive feedback.

Emirates (EK) pioneered similar efforts decades ago with Mai Dubai, a remineralized desalinated water brand.

Filtered for better taste, it appears in onboard beverages and hotel services, proving passengers adapt to such options when positioned as premium and planet friendly. KLM draws from this precedent to normalize seawater-derived drinks in aviation.

This move aligns with industry pressures to cut single-use plastics and emissions. Airlines face scrutiny for inflight waste, and sourcing from renewable desalination reduces reliance on bottled imports, shortening supply chains.

KLM aims to scale if tests succeed, potentially influencing partners in the SkyTeam alliance.

Global Lessons

The Wildschut brothers’ approach highlights solar power’s role in scalable solutions. Their plants require minimal land and operate off-grid, ideal for remote or coastal communities.

By 2025, SEA Water expands production, targeting exports to drought-hit areas in Africa and Asia.

Challenges persist, including scaling without quality dips and educating consumers on taste profiles.

Yet, early adoption by KLM (KL) validates the tech, fostering investment in green water tech. This story underscores how vacation insights spark real-world fixes, blending Dutch engineering with urgent climate needs.

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