KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) has flagged off a cycling expedition from Nairobi to the Lolldaiga Conservancy in central Kenya, tying grassroots environmental action to the airline’s broader push for sustainability in aviation. The initiative, focused on waste management and upcycling, forms part of KLM’s participation in the Aviation Challenge, an industry-wide effort aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of air travel.
Over the course of the multi-day expedition, cyclists will traverse over 350 kilometres, to deliver recyclable sanitary pads to a girls’ school in Laikipia. The expedition aims to spotlight the power of circular solutions, while echoing the airline’s broader commitment to environmental and social sustainability. This meaningful initiative coincides with the celebration of KLM’s 106th anniversary. “Sustanability is not just about decarbonization; it’s about being a fantastic employer and a really good corporate citizen. We want to be a company that staff enjoy working for and people really enjoy flying with,” said Zita Schellekens, the senior vice president for group sustainability at Air France-KLM, while flagging off the ride.
While the expedition takes place on land, its resonance in the air is deliberate. KLM has identified waste transformation as a strategic pillar of its sustainability programme, with upcycled and waste-derived materials forming the basis for future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. SAF, which emits up to 80% less lifecycle carbon dioxide compared to traditional jet fuel, is a critical lever in the airline’s ambition to cut emissions per passenger kilometre by 30% by 2030, relative to 2019 levels.
Additionally, the ride from Nairobi to Lolldaiga is intended to showcase the shared responsibility for climate action and exploring local supply chain models for future fuel sourcing. Agricultural waste, used cooking oils, and other organic residues gathered in East Africa have the potential to support SAF production, an avenue that KLM, through its partners and joint ventures, is reviewing. “We are honouring a part of KLM’s 106-year legacy while focusing on a crucial element of our future and the sustainability of our industry: our connection with the communities where we operate. We can only move forward and build a sustainable model by maintaining close and balanced relationships with these communities,” said Joris Holtus, Air France-KLM’s general manager for East and Southern Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.
The expedition is one of several actions KLM has undertaken over the years as part of the Aviation Challenge, a SkyTeam-led platform encouraging airlines to pilot scalable sustainability solutions. In its earlier iterations, KLM experimented with optimised flight paths, onboard waste reduction, and real-time emissions monitoring. This year, the airline’s focus has turned to systems-level thinking, linking communities, supply chains and operations into a unified sustainability narrative. Earlier this week, the airline held a stakeholders’ workshop, in partnership with Kenya Airways, during which agreements were made on the formulation of a joint SAF action roadmap to guide coordinated efforts in the region. This roadmap is designed to be a living document, evolving with technological advancements and market conditions, while ensuring that all stakeholders align on key milestones and investment priorities. It includes targets for SAF uptake over the next decade, with an initial focus on establishing pilot projects in Kenya and the Netherlands.
The route to Lolldaiga winds through a region that is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and growing pressure on natural resources. KLM chose this route hoping to draw attention to the intersections between climate, community development and aviation’s footprint.
“I am confident that this expedition will have a significant impact, as it shows that cycling is about more than just being seen on the road; it’s also about creating positive change and making a difference in the community,” said Kelvin Ndungu, one of the eight cyclists on the expedition.
