World's First Biofueled Passenger Flight to Launch April 2011

Photo: Willamor Media, Flickr cc-by-sa

Several airlines have over the last two years tested different types of biofuels for experimental flights. The pilots conducting the test flight for Japan Airlines (JAL) reported that the biofuel was more fuel efficient than 100 percent traditional jet-A fuel (kerosene). This indicates that biofuels may not only be a carbon-neutral option, but a more fuel efficient one.

In spite of good biofuel test results from airlines like JAL, Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines and Virigin Airlines, no airline has so far tested biofuels on a passenger flight, until now. 

Germany's biggest airline, Lufthansa, says it will launch the world's first passenger flight using biofuel beginning in April 2011. An Airbus A321 aircraft on daily flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt will be powered with a biofuel blend made from 50 percent vegetable oil. The flights will continue for six months as part of a government-backed study on the long-term impact of biofuels on aircraft performance.

“Daily bio-fuel flights are a significant step forward in our pursuit of a sustainable future for aviation”, Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

I'm so much looking forward to seeing the results after the six months test flight period! 
Fingers crossed! :-)