Lufthansa, Airbus launch world’s first biofuel passenger flights

Lufthansa announced (29-Nov-2010) plans to launch the first ever scheduled commercial passenger flights using biofuel in the 1H2011, with an IAE (International Aero Engines) V2500 powered A321 aircraft. The daily flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt will commence in Apr-2011 and be the first in the world to use a biofuel blend made from 50% hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The flights will continue for six months as part of the "Burn Fair" project to study the long-term impact of sustainable biofuels on aircraft performance. Airbus' role is to provide technical assistance and to monitor the fuel properties. The biofuel is being provided by Finland-based Neste Oil, under a long-term agreement with Lufthansa. [more]