Qantas to run first biofuel flight

Australian airline Qantas is to operate the country’s first commercial flight on biofuels on 13 April 2012.

The flight will run from Sydney to Adelaide and an Airbus A330 will be used, powered by biofuels made from used cooking oil (50%) and conventional jet fuel (50%).

Qantas says that it wants to get involved in aviation biofuels because with rising fuel prices affecting the industry, it says that it is important to develop the sustainable aviation jet fuel sector.

A study conducted by the CSIRO says that the airline industry could benefit from aviation biofuels by creating 12,000 new jobs and cutting greenhouse gases by 17% in the sector. However, in order for this to happen, it says that ‘significant obstacles much be overcome’.

Qantas’ head of environment, John Valastro, says with the biofuel flight the airline hopes to raise awareness about aviation bio jet fuel in Australia.

‘We know that sustainable aviation fuel can be used in commercial aviation just like conventional jet fuel,’ he says. ‘But until it is produced at a commercial scale, at a competitive price, the industry will not be able to realise its true benefits. No single player can make this happen: it needs support from government, private sector investment, access to infrastructure and market demand.’

Valastro adds that over recent months the airline has been discussing plans with the government and partners in the industry about establishing a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia.