Air New Zealand biofuel partner optimistic
More than 30 organisations have expressed an interest in helping Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia source and use commercially viable, locally produced aviation biofuel.
The two airlines linked up last year to investigate whether an environmentally-friendly aviation fuel could be produced locally to put in their planes’ fuel tanks.
They sent out a request for information last March.
Yesterday the airlines said they had received more than 30 responses, from organisations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and Europe.
Air New Zealand head of sustainability Lisa Daniell said the key objective of testing market readiness for such a product was achieved.
‘‘The [request for information] has helped stimulate industry dialogue on the production of sustainable aviation fuel in the Australasian region.
‘‘Importantly, the process has also greatly expanded our understanding of the technologies and processes involved and the potential timeframes to scale up to the volumes required.’’
Virgin Australia head of sustainability Robert Wood said the airline remained optimistic about the potential of biofuel.
‘‘There is clear interest and potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel in this region, and we will now undertake further detailed exploration in order to reach significant commercial scale,’’ Wood said.
‘‘We remain optimistic about the potential of biofuel to achieve significant carbon emissions reductions in the medium-term.’’
The two airlines would now work with shortlisted companies to strengthen the commercial case for any investment.