Biofuel flights arriving at an airport near you? Let's hope so.

Read more about: air travel, airlines, algae, biofuel, carbon, economy, emissions, energy, EPA, flights, fossil fuel, government, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic

According to the Geneva-based Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the first drops of sustainable aviation biofuels could be entering aircraft tanks within 3 to 5 years.

With the announcement of the group’s new publication: The Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels, ATAG is hoping to better inform industry employees and members of the flying public about this “new age in flight.”

Currently, ATAG is the only global organization representing all parts of the commercial air transport sector.

A new era in air travel

“For the first time we have identified a viable alternative to fossil fuels for commercial aviation. We have seen the age of flying boats, the jet age and the age of democratisation of air travel,” said Paul Steele, Executive Director of ATAG. “In the next few years, we are preparing to enter the ‘biofuels age’ of flight.”

In the last year, the industry has put major focus on the development of sustainable biofuel – a source of energy that could have around an 80 percent reduction in carbon lifecycle emissions compared to current fossil fuel based Jet A-1.

There has been a series of successful test flights, with fuels being trialled from such diverse sources as camelina, jatropha and algae by Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines and Continental Airlines. Further flight tests are being prepared with JetBlue and Interjet in the coming year.

“Those trials were a success from both a safety and a technical viewpoint. We are now expecting at least a small quantity of sustainable biofuels to start being used on commercial flights in the next three to five years.” Steele commented.

Biofuel explained

The Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels has been published to explain some of the benefits for aviation moving to a new, cleaner, source of fuel.

According to recent industry polls, almost half of those surveyed were unsure of the difference between first and second-generation biofuel supplies, while a whopping 60% are entirely unaware that sustainable aviation biofuels are going to be available in the next few years.

The guide examines the key safety and technical criteria and the testing process currently underway, while also looking at the challenges that remain if the industry is to maximise the potential of biofuels.

“We are now confident that biofuels can be technically used in flight,” continued Steele. “There remain two major complexities: guaranteeing the biofuel we use is sustainable and doesn’t impact on food and water supplies; and ensuring we can get enough to use. The industry has called on governments to support potential biofuel suppliers in developing the necessary feedstock and refining systems until the fledgling sustainable aviation biofuels industry has achieved the necessary critical mass.”

Future outlook

“After all,” commented Steele, “the history of aviation is marked by people achieving extraordinary things, despite the conventional wisdom of the time telling them it couldn’t be done. We feel the same way about the biofuels age of flight.”

What do you think? With the current economy facing the airline industry, tied with the push to eliminate fossil fuel spanning all industries, will biofuel be as much of a welcome success as Steele suggests?

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