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Virgin Atlantic to test biofuel
15/01/2008 12:10 - (SA)
Ann Keeton
Chicago - Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd next month will be the first commercial carrier to go green in the fuel tank, testing biofuel as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
The British airline, owned jointly by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, and Singapore Airlines Ltd, plans to conduct a test flight from London to Amsterdam, using a mix of 20% biofuel and 80% conventional jet fuel, in a Boeing 747 aircraft.
The airline is working with Boeing Co and General Electric Corp, which makes aircraft engines, to create "hybrid" aircraft, similar to the cleaner fuel concept for hybrid automobiles, said Virgin spokesperson Paul Charles.
Neither the aircraft nor its engine will need to be modified to use the biofuel.
"We're not saying today what the fuel is made from, or who is making it," Charles said. Virgin will make those disclosures at the time of the test flight, likely late in February, he said. No passengers will be aboard the flight.
The test comes at a time when the airline industry is under scrutiny in the EU for its contribution to global air pollution. The EU is adopting rules to require airlines flying to, from, and within EU countries to participate in a CO2 exchange programme by 2012. The US hasn't yet addressed a way for "greening" the skies, but some states are trying to tackle the problem.
Ideally, the biofuel mix will cut aircraft carbon emissions by 20%, Charles said. Air New Zealand Ltd is also planning a test flight, probably for later this year. But it will be two years before biofuel can be widely adopted by commercial airlines, Charles predicted.
Charles declined to comment on whether the "green" fuel will be made with algae, something that Boeing is testing. But, he said, the new fuel will be sustainable, and "it's not an oil that will compete with food."
As previously announced, Virgin Atlantic has placed an order for 15 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with an option to order more. The airline said the new Dreamliner will be 30% more fuel-efficient than the Airbus A340-300, which it will replace in Virgin Atlantic's fleet. That means the new aircraft will also save 30% on carbon emissions. "The real opportunity here is to get a combination of fuel savings from the 787 and the biofuel," said the Virgin Atlantic spokesperson.
It isn't yet clear whether the new fuel will save money compared with conventional jet fuel, Charles said. "With oil at $100 a barrel, that would be a great plus."
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