British Airways to power jets with ‘waste’ fuel

British Airways is planning to power its flights using sustainable jet fuel made from landfill waste.

The move is thought to be equal to taking 150,000 cars off the road.

In partnership with Solena Fuels, the UK's flagship carrier intends to buy 50,000 tonnes of the sustainable jet fuel a year once the facility is finished in 2017.

The facility will convert 575,000 tonnes of post-recycled waste, normally destined for the landfill or for incineration, and convert it into 120,000 tonnes of clean burning liquid fuels.

British Airways' plans coincide with the 2014 Global Sustainable Aviation Summit at the end of the month and Earth Day, on 22 April.

The company joins an existing group of commercial carriers like United, KLM and Virgin Atlantic that are exploring the potential of biofuels for the future.