Air New Zealand, Boeing confirm biofuel test flight

A biofuel test flight is set to be carried out on December 3rd as the result of a joint project involving Air New Zealand, plane manufacturer Boeing and engine-maker Rolls-Royce.

The airline will launch a flight from Auckland using a Boeing 747 which will have one of its four engines partly powered by biofuel derived from plants of the jatropha genus.

According to the companies involved in the project, the test flight will represent the culmination of the world's first large-scale production run of a sustainable biofuel for use in aviation.

Billy Glover, Boeing's managing director of environmental strategy, said that the successful biofuel production run for this test flight indicates that the company is "on the right path" to certification and commercial availability of sustainable fuels.

Air New Zealand chief executive officer Rob Fyfe said that the carrier has ambitions to become the "world's most environmentally responsible airline".

He added: "Introducing a new generation of sustainable fuels is the next logical step in our efforts to further save fuel and reduce aircraft emissions."

Air New Zealand has placed orders for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will reportedly burn 20 per cent less fuel than the planes they will replace in the airline's fleet.

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