Qantas to adopt biofuel

QANTAS has announced its LA-based aircraft will be powered by biofuel from 2020 in a bid to reduce the airline’s carbon emissions on services between the US and Australia.

Australia’s flag carrier will purchase 30 million litres of renewable jet fuel each year from US-based bio-energy company SG Preston for use on flights to Australia from Los Angeles Int’l.

The fuel will consist of 50% renewable jet fuel produced from non-food plant oils, blended with 50% traditional jet fuel, and produces half the emissions of flights using regular jet fuel.

Qantas Int’l and Freight ceo Gareth Evans said the agreement was the first of its kind in Australian aviation history.

“As an airline group we are constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace new technologies.”

“Our agreement with SG Preston allows us to secure a supply for our Los Angeles- based aircraft where we have a large fuel demand and where the biofuel industry is more advanced,” said Evans.

He added that the Qantas Group would also be exploring renewable jet fuel opportunities in Australia and would continue to work with suppliers to develop locally produced biofuels for aviation use.

The announcement comes after Qantas trialled biofuel on several domestic flights five years ago ( TD 27 Mar 2012).