AIRLINE NEWS
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Weed gets airline high on possibility of cheaper fuel
If all goes well, an Air New Zealand 747 jumbo jet will take off from Auckland in September powered by fuel refined from the seed of a fast-growing weed.
The three hour test flight could mark one of the more promising - and more unusual - steps by the airline industry to find cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel.
"We're confident that the test will go well," said David Morgan, Air New Zealand's general manager for airline operations, before leading visitors to a farm here where the weeds are being researched.
If the flight is successful, "it'll be a real milestone not only for Air New Zealand but for aviation".
The secret: oil from poisonous seeds of the jatropha tree, which grows in warm climates. For the past year, scientists here have been perfecting a process to turn the oil into jet fuel. This week, the airline announced plans to use this fuel for 10% of its needs by 2013.
business.theage.com.au
The three hour test flight could mark one of the more promising - and more unusual - steps by the airline industry to find cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel.
"We're confident that the test will go well," said David Morgan, Air New Zealand's general manager for airline operations, before leading visitors to a farm here where the weeds are being researched.
If the flight is successful, "it'll be a real milestone not only for Air New Zealand but for aviation".
The secret: oil from poisonous seeds of the jatropha tree, which grows in warm climates. For the past year, scientists here have been perfecting a process to turn the oil into jet fuel. This week, the airline announced plans to use this fuel for 10% of its needs by 2013.
business.theage.com.au
Labels: Air New Zealand, fuel
