Airbus tests GTL fuels on A380

London: Airbus, the world's largest planemaker, tested gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels on a superjumbo A380 in the first flight of a commercial aircraft using the potential alternative to regular jet fuel.

Airbus conducted the trial flight with Rolls-Royce Group, whose Trent 900 engines power the double-decker A380 used for the trip, the Toulouse, France-based manufacturer said at a briefing in Filton, England. Royal Dutch Shell, Europe's largest oil company, provided fuel for the flight, which didn't carry passengers.

GTL plants use natural gas, rather than crude oil, to make fuel that contains virtually no sulphur, including a mixture that can be used in cars. Airbus predicts that about 25 per cent of fuel used in aviation will come from alternative sources by 2025.

"GTL is a good precursor to BTL," said Sebastien Remy, Airbus's head of alternative fuels research, referring to gas-to- liquid and biomass-to-liquid options. "When biofuels will be available, yes of course we'll use them."

Competition

Airbus is competing with rival Boeing to develop alternative fuels. Virgin Atlantic Airways, the UK carrier controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, will conduct a biofuel test this month with a Boeing 747.

The aircraft will fly from London Heathrow to Amsterdam without passengers in a joint project with Chicago-based Boeing and enginemaker General Electric.