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Virgin Soon To Be High on B20 |
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Friday, 18 January 2008 |
 Virgin Atlantic announced on 14 January 08, that it will fly a Boeing 747s on B20 Biodiesel in a February demonstration flight. This development has come at least 10 months earlier than planned. It will be the first time that a commercial aircraft has run Biofuel in-flight and is part of a major initiative among some airlines and Boeing to discover sources of sustainable aircraft fuel for the future.
The Virgin Atlantic 747 will fly from London Heathrow to Amsterdam on a demonstration flight, with no passengers on board, using a truly sustainable type of Biofuel that doesn’t compete with food and fresh water resources. The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of Virgin Atlantic’s drive to reduce its environmental impact wherever possible. The demonstration forms part of Virgin Atlantic’s vision for what the aviation industry can achieve by using clean-fuel technology to reduce carbon emissions.
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, said: "This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals.."
Virgin Atlantic became the world’s first airline to enable customers to buy their carbon offsets onboard the aircraft during a flight. Its offset programme, launched last November, is a gold standard scheme which is also available to buy online.
Virgin is not the only airline pursuing the Biofuel concept. In September 07, Air New Zealand, in conjunction with Rolls Royce, announced plans to test a 747 towards the end of this year or early 2009 with.
In 2007 Virgin Atlantic placed Europe’s largest order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and options for another 28 aircraft. The 787 Dreamliner is up to 60% quieter and uses nearly 30% less fuel than the Airbus A340-300 it will replace. Boeing's Dreamliner has been touted as the world's first environmentally friendly commercial plane, cutting fuel consumption and emissions.Jet fuel accounts for 30 to 50 per cent of airlines' operating costs, and is expected to cost the industry about $18 billion. Figures show that fuel efficiency has improved by 70 per cent in the past four decades. Boeing says currently, airlines are said to burn four litres of fuel a passenger per 100 kilometre. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 January 2008 )
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