First transpacific biofuel flight a success

Boeing and All Nippon Airways have flown a 787 Dreamliner aircraft on biofuels from the Boeing Delivery Center in Everett, Washington, to Tokyo Haneda Airport.

In the first ever biofuel flight crossing the Pacific ocean the plane flew on a mixture of biofuel derived from used cooking oil and conventional fuel, cutting about 30% of the CO₂ emissions usually produced.

However, the companies say that only 10% of the reduction in carbon emissions was down to the biofuel, the other 20% saving was because of the efficiency of the Dreamliner aircraft.

The Dreamliner is made from composite materials and is the first medium sized airplane that can fly long haul flights.

‘Our historic flight using sustainable biofuels across the Pacific Ocean highlights how innovative technology can be used to support our industry's goal of carbon-neutral growth beyond 2020,’ says Osamu Shinobe, ANA senior executive VP.