including European rival KLM and U.S.-based Continental, have made demonstration flights highlighting several alternatives to traditional jet fuel. Lufthansa is skipping the demonstrations and going straight to scheduled flights using biofuels, said company chief Wolfgang Mayrhuber.

“Lufthansa will be the world’s first airline to utilize biofuel in flight operations within the framework of a long-term trial,” Mayrhuber said.

The flights will be made with an Airbus A321 (the similar A320 is pictured), and fueling will take place in Hamburg. Only one of the two engines will use the blended fuel, the other will be run on pure jet fuel. Specifics about the fuel were not released, but Mayrhuber said in a statement the bio-synthetic fuel will be from a sustainable source.

“No rain forest will be deforested for Lufthansa biofuel,” he said. “In the procurement of biofuel, we ensure it originates from a sustainable supply and production process.”

The fuel will be supplied by the Finnish company Neste Oil. The company claims the biomass derived jet fuel produces 40-80 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel. Certification of the new biomass jet fuel is expected to occur in March, just before Lufthansa’s flights are scheduled to begin.

Photo: Lufthansa

See Also:

• Airbus' Parent Company Showcases Algae Powered Flights
• KLM Claims First Biofuel Airline Passenger Flight
• Boeing Throws its Weight Behind Algae
• Pentagon Researcher Promises Cheap Biofuel for Jets
• Air Force Debuts Biofuel-Guzzling Warthog

Authors: Jason Paur

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