Japan Airlines To Make Biofuel Test Flight
by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 06.23.08
photo by François Roche
We’ve documented pretty well the nexus of climate change pressure and rising fuel costs which are driving an increasing number of airlines to search for alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. Japan Airlines will join Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic on the list of airlines investigating biofuels in an attempt to improve their environmental image and hopefully reduce costs.
Japan Airlines announced today that it will make a test flight by the end of March 2009 using a second generation biofuel, though it has as yet not said exactly what biofuel it plans on using. The one hour demonstration flight will take place in a Boeing 747-300 from an unnamed airport in Japan and will be the first biofuel test flight in Asia.
In touting the test flight, JAL CEO Haruka Nishimatsu said, “Our participation in the search for a viable second generation biofuel is a clear signal to everyone of our strong commitment to increasing the environmental sustainability of the JAL Group and the airline industry.”
Japan Airlines has a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 2010 to 20% of 1990 levels, and claims to have already reached 16% of that goal.
Aviation
Airlines Cut Flights and Planes to Save Fuel
US Airlines Must Pay the Price of Carbon Emissions or Lose EU Flights
Lufthansa to Increase Use of Biofuels in its Fleet, Slowly
Airlines Save Gas By Slowing Down, Just Like Drivers
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Air New Zealand Prepares for Biofuel Test Flight
- 10 Energy Myths Exposed: Solar, Wind, Nuclear and More
- Will the Next New Deal be Transit-Based? Three Plans to Rescue the Economy and the Earth with Public Transportation
- Sun, Nike, Starbucks and More Meet for Climate Action
This is great news to other Asia flights and carriers traveling to Asia. The rest are soon to follow....