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19.07.2011 14:59Lufthansa Used Biofuel on Commercial Flight
The German company became the first air carrier to actually use biofuel on a regular flight
© Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG Friday became the first airline to use biofuel for a regularly scheduled commercial flight, as part of a 1,200-flight program, as it looks to cut its carbon emissions by making biofuel use routine, the Wall Street Journal reported.
"It's the starting point of environmentally friendly flying," said Lufthansa's head of aviation biofuel, Joachim Buse, on board the first flight from Hamburg to Frankfurt, which itself will save one ton of carbon dioxide. "It's a clear signal that the aviation industry is taking steps to mitigate against climate change."
While many airlines, including Continental Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways have flown test flights with biofuel, Lufthansa is the first to use biofuel on a regular commercial route.
Airlines contribute 2% of carbon emissions world-wide, and the body representing 230 airlines, the International Air Transport Association, has set the industry a goal of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by half by 2050.
The Lufthansa A321 used a blend of 50% renewable jet fuel and 50% fossil-based jet fuel in the right engine, while the left engine used conventional jet fuel.
Aviation biofuel is made from plants such as jatropha, halophytes and camelina, or from waste material such as used cooking oil or animal fat, whereas normal jet fuel is made from non-renewable.
The six-month trial will assess the effects of biofuel on maintenance and engines.
The start of the EUR 6.6 million trial was delayed from April while Lufthansa waited for authorities to conduct low-temperature tests that would finally allow the fuel to be licensed. Competition issues have also proved an obstacle and prevented airlines from working more closely together during this research phase, but there could be opportunities ahead under the Star Alliance banner, Mr. Buse said.
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