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Virgin Atlantic tests first biofuel powered flight

The first partly biofuel powered commercial flight that flew from Heathrow airport to Amsterdam on Sunday was powered by nuts from the Amazon rainforest.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 16:18 February 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

London: The first partly biofuel powered commercial flight that flew from Heathrow airport to Amsterdam on Sunday was powered by nuts from the Amazon rainforest.

The non-passenger Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet is being labeled a breakthrough in the use of environmentally friendly or ‘green' fuel.

20% of the carrier's power was provided by an independent biofuel tank connected to one of its four engines. A bio-jet blend including babassu oil and coconut oil is the source of this breakthrough renewable fuel.

The remaining 80% used is conventional jet fuel. According to Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, a 40% blend is ideal for the flight.

Sir Richard Branson said that this development will help lower emissions and give way for other global warming issues to be dealt with.

In response to critics' beliefs that the fuel may freeze at an altitude of 15,000 feet, Sir Branson stressed that this flight will prove the contrary, saying that the plane will be able to fly at 30,000 feet.

Biofuel has not been seen as a sustainable alternative. Some environmentalists argue that it will lead to reduced land for food.

Branson added that this but would not play a key role in the future, however, stating that algae from sewage treatment farms will probably be the future source of renewable airline fuel.


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