Lufthansa to launch world's first biofuel passenger flight in 2011

Lufthansa to launch world's first biofuel passenger flight in 2011

2010-11-30 05:59:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN (BNO NEWS) -- Germany's biggest airline, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, on Monday said it will launch the world's first passenger flight using biofuel next year.

The company said that in April 2011, it will begin a six-month trial of renewable jet fuel with an Airbus A321 on scheduled commercial flights on the Hamburg-Frankfurt-Hamburg route.

Pending certification, one of the aircraft's engines will use a 50-50 mix of biofuel and traditional kerosene. The primary purpose of the project is to conduct a long-term trial to study the effect of biofuel on engine maintenance and engine life.

During the six months trial, Lufthansa will save around 1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions, said Lufthansa Chief Wolfgang Mayrhuber in Berlin today. "Lufthansa will be the world's first airline to utilize biofuel in flight operations within the framework of a long-term trial," said Mayrhuber.

The project will cost Lufthansa an estimated 6.6 million euros ($8.8 million).

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