Air New Zealand to test new biofuel

Air New Zealand will become the first airline in the world to test second-generation biofuel when a jumbo jet takes to the sky this year powered by the oily nuts of the jatropha plant, it is reported. In another world first, the carrier announced that it planned to switch at least 10% of its annual fuel needs to biofuel within five years in a bid to become the world’s most sustainable airline. “Air New Zealand is absolutely committed to being at the forefront of testing environmentally sustainable fuels,” Chief Executive Rob Fyfe was quoted by Australian Associated Press. Jatropha has been coined a “wonder plant” due to the high oil content of its seeds and can grow in wasteland with little need for water or fertilizer. In August, Air New Zealand and Boeing will take a two-hour test flight from Auckland on a B747-400 with one of the plane’s four Rolls Royce engines running on jatropha. “The goal for us in the long term is to achieve sustainable air travel to, from, and within New Zealand,” Fyfe said. (June 5, 2008)

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