Flying green – This new Dutch airline offers green flights

© Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, www.pilatus-aircraft.com

Silver Flight, a brand new Dutch airline, will soon operate the greenest commercial aircraft in Europe.

“Air travel can and should be greener and more efficient. That is why we are introducing a new way of flying,” says Kelly Otte, CEO and pilot at Silver Flight. Silver Flight journeys will be undertaken in a Pilatus PC-12, a type of aircraft that uses at least 50 percent less fuel than similar types of aircrafts.

“The PC-12,” Otte explains, “allows us to take off from and land at small local airports, eliminating the need for passengers to drive to and from bigger airports further afield, and thus reducing car emissions. In addition, we will compensate the remaining 50 percent of fuel emissions emitted during Silver Flight journeys.”

For Silver Flight, the ultimate goal is to fly electric. “Electric aircrafts are not yet available. But as soon as they are, we’ll be the first Dutch airline to add one to our fleet,” says Otte. “Until then, we will continue to innovate and develop our sustainable practices, whether it be organic food options on board, sustainable fuels or hybrid flights.”

© Silver Flight, www.silverflight.nl/en/

The future of air travel

Airfare at Silver Flight will cost a mere 50 percent less, which is similar to the amount of fuel that will be saved. Another big advantage is the versatility of the aircraft – the PC-12 can take off and land on many types of runways, such as asphalt, grass, sand and even snow. Runways needn’t even be long, as the aircraft only requires 700 meters of runway. The PC-12 holds eight passengers and can be deployed from any airport in The Netherlands, making busy airports an queues a thing of the past. Otte: “It would be naïve to think that travelers will never set foot in an airplane again. The question we should ask ourselves is: What does the future way of travel look like?”