Interjet and Airbus test first biofuel flight in Mexico

Interjet and Airbus tested their first Jatropha-based biofuel flight in Mexico on 1 April 2011, using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

The biofuel comes from the local region’s Jatropha plant which is harvested in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico.

The two companies say the main aim of the demonstration flight and the project was to speed up the commercialisation of aviation biofuel in the country.

The A320 flight left from Mexico City’s International Airport and flew to Angel Albino Corzo of Tuxtla Gutierrez airport in the southern State of Chiapas, with one of the two CFM engines using 30% biofuel.

Miguel Aleman, Interjet president says: ‘The test flight is the realisation of a two year ambition for Interjet to develop a production chain for renewable biofuel, with the purpose of creating a Mexican platform for sustainable aviation bio-kerosene.’

Paul Nash, Airbus head of new energies adds: ‘This flight serves as evidence that our sector is serious about its commitment to achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020, and a 50% reduction in CO² emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.’

CO² life cycle studies show Jatropha can reduce the overall CO² footprint by up to 80% compared to standard aviation kerosene.

Those supporting the project include Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, Airports and Auxiliary Services, the State of Chiapas, the European Aviation Safety Agency, CFM and Airbus. The Jatropha biofuel was processed by Honeywell’s UOP.