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'[[File:US Navy 110921-N-ZZ999-002 An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 conducts the first test flight of a mix of 50-50 j.jpg|thumb|right|US Marine AV-8B Harrier test flight using a 50-50 biofuel blend in 2011.]] '''Aviation biofuel''' is a [[biofuel]] used for [[aircraft]]. It is considered by some to be the primary means by which the aviation industry can reduce its carbon footprint. After a multi-year technical review from aircraft makers, engine manufacturers and oil companies, biofuels were approved for commercial use in July 2011.<ref name="ASTM approval of biofuels">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-01/airlines-win-approval-to-use-plant-based-biofuels-on-commercial-flights.html|title=Airlines Win Approval to Use Biofuels for Commercial Flights|date=1 July 2011|work=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> Since then, some airlines have experimented with using biofuels on commercial flights.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/business/global/10iht-green10.html?_r=1 Airlines Weigh the Advantages of Biofuels]</ref> The focus of the industry has now turned to second generation [[sustainable biofuel]]s ([[sustainable aviation fuel]]s) that do not compete with food supplies nor are major consumers of prime agricultural land or fresh water. NASA has determined that 50% aviation biofuel mixture can cut [[air pollution]] caused by air traffic by 50-70%.<ref>http://www.flyingmag.com/nasa-confirms-biofuels-reduce-jet-emissions</ref> The sustainable aviation fuels certification and production pace seems insufficient to meet the [[International Air Transport Association|IATA]] target of halving the CO₂ emissions by 2050.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/glacial-pace-advancements-biofuel-threatens-emissions-targets |title= Glacial Pace Of Advancements In Biofuel Threatens Emissions Targets |date= Oct 10, 2017 |author= Kerry Reals |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> ==Rationale for aviation biofuels== [[Environmental impact of aviation|Aviation's share of the greenhouse gas emissions]] is poised to grow, as air travel increases and ground vehicles use more alternative fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Currently aviation represents 2% of global emissions, but is expected to grow to 3% by 2050.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/sres/aviation/126.htm|title='IPCC Special Report on Aviation Global Emissions'|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> In addition to building more fuel efficient aircraft and operating them more efficiently, changing the fuel source is one of the few options the aviation industry has for reducing its carbon footprint. While solar, electric and hydrogen propelled aircraft are being researched, it is not expected they will be feasible in the near or medium term due to aviation's need for high [[power-to-weight ratio]] and globally compatible infrastructure. ==Concerns and challenges== [[Biodiesel]] that is stored for long periods of time is more likely to [[oxidize]], especially at low temperatures, causing it to gel. Some [[Gasoline additive|additive]]s improve the cold weather tolerance of biodiesel, but only by a few degrees.<ref name="one">{{cite web | title =Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet | work =Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension | publisher =Penn State College of Agricultural Science | date = | url =http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uc205.pdf | accessdate =March 7, 2012 }}</ref> [[Nitrile]]-based rubber materials expand in the presence of aromatic compounds found in conventional petroleum fuel. Pure biofuels that aren't mixed with petroleum and don't contain paraffin-based additives may cause rubber seals and hoses to shrink.<ref>{{cite web | title =Technical Report: Near-Term Feasibility of Alternative Jet Fuels | work = | publisher =Sponsored by the FAA. Authored by MIT staff. Published by RAND Corporation | date = | url =http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/partner/reports/proj17/altfuelfeasrpt.pdf | accessdate =August 22, 2012 }}</ref> Manufacturers are starting to use a synthetic rubber substitute called [[Viton]] for seals and hoses. Viton isn't adversely affected by biofuels.<ref>{{cite web | title =Biodiesel FAQ | work = | publisher =University of Kentucky College of Agriculture | year =2006 | url =http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen90/aen90.pdf | accessdate =August 22, 2012 }}</ref> The US Air Force has found harmful bacteria and fungi in their biofueled aircraft, and use [[pasteurization]] to disinfect them.<ref>http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/939659/afrl-discovering-whats-bugging-military-aircraft.aspx</ref> ==Industry commitments and collaborations== The [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA) supports research, development and deployment of alternative fuels. IATA thinks a 6% share of sustainable 2nd generation biofuels is achievable by 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iata.org/pressroom/facts_figures/fact_sheets/Pages/alt-fuels.aspx|title=IATA - Page not found|author=IATA|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> and Boeing supports a target of 1% of global aviation fuels by 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-22/commercial-airlines-may-get-1-of-fuel-from-biofuels-by-2015-boeing-says.html|title=Airlines May Get 1% of Fuel From Biofuels By 2015, Boeing Says|date=22 July 2010|work=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> This is in support of the goals of the aviation industry reaching carbon neutral growth by 2020 and a 50% decrease in carbon emissions by 2050 (relative to a 2005 baseline)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2009-06-08-03.aspx|title=IATA - Carbon-Neutral Growth By 2020|author=IATA|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> A group of interested airlines has formed the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group ([[SAFUG]]). The group was formed in 2008 in cooperation with support from NGOs such as [[Natural Resources Defense Council]] and [[Sustainable biofuel#Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels|The Roundtable For Sustainable Biofuels]] (RSB). Member airlines represent more than 15% of the industry, and all member CEOs have signed a pledge to work on the development and use of [[sustainable biofuels]] for aviation.<ref>[http://www.safug.org/information/pledge/ 'SAFUG Pledge'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051329/http://www.safug.org/information/pledge/ |date=April 25, 2012 }}</ref> Boeing is joining other aviation-related members in the [[Algal Biomass Organization]] (ABO).<ref>[http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/06/first-airlines.html First Airlines and UOP Join Algal Biomass Organization], Green Car Congress, 19 June 2008.</ref> ==Production routes and sources== [[Jet fuel]] is a mixture of a large number of different [[hydrocarbon]]s. The range of their sizes ([[molecular weight]]s or carbon numbers) is restricted by the requirements for the product, for example, [[freezing point]] or [[smoke point]]. Jet fuels are sometimes classified as [[Kerosene jet fuel|kerosene]] or [[naphtha]]-type. Kerosene-type fuels include Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5 and JP-8. Naphtha-type jet fuels, sometimes referred to as "wide-cut" jet fuel, include Jet B and JP-4. "Drop-in" biofuels are biofuels that are completely interchangeable with conventional fuels. Deriving "drop-in" jet fuel from bio-based sources is [[ASTM]] approved via two routes. ===Bio-SPK=== The first route involves using oil which is extracted from plant sources like [[Jatropha]], [[algae]], [[tallows]], other waste oils, [[Babassu oil|Babassu]] and [[Camelina]] to produce bio-SPK (Bio derived synthetic paraffinic Kerosene) by cracking and [[hydroprocessing]]. The growing of algae to make jet fuel is a promising but still [[emerging technology]]. Companies working on algae jet fuel are [[Solazyme]], Honeywell UOP, Solena, [[Sapphire Energy]], [[Imperium Renewables]], and [[Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation]]. Universities working on algae jet fuel are [[Arizona State University]] and [[Cranfield University]] Major investors for algae based SPK research are [[Boeing]], [[Honeywell]]/[[UOP LLC|UOP]], [[Air New Zealand]], [[Continental Airlines]], [[Japan Airlines]], and [[General Electric]]. {{See also|Algae fuel}} ===FT-SPK=== The second route involves processing solid [[biomass]] using [[pyrolysis]] to produce [[pyrolysis oil]] or [[gasification]] to produce a [[syngas]] which is then processed into FT SPK ([[Fischer–Tropsch process|Fischer–Tropsch]] Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene). ===Future production routes=== Further research is being done on an [[alcohol-to-jet]] pathway where alcohols such as [[ethanol]] or [[butanol]] are de-oxygenated and processed into jet fuels. In addition, routes that use synthetic biology to directly create hydro-carbons are being researched. ==Commercial and demonstration flights== Since 2008, a large number of test flights have been conducted, and since ASTM approval in July 2011,<ref name="ASTM approval of biofuels"/> several commercial flights with passengers have also occurred. ===Demonstration flights=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date !! Operator !! Platform !! Biofuel !! Notes |- | 2 October 2007 || [[GreenFlight International]] || [[Aero L-29 Delfín]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste Vegetable Oil]] || Greenflight International made the very first flight of an aircraft powered entirely by 100% biofuel from the Reno, Stead airport on the afternoon of 2 October 2007. There is no citation for this entry - it was made by the pilot that flew it. In November 2008 the same aircraft and flight crew flew from Reno, NV to Leesburg, FL using 100% biofuel for the first seven of the nine legs, the remaining three were completed on a 50% biofuel 50% JetA blend. |- | February 2008 || [[Virgin Atlantic]] || [[Boeing 747]] || [[Coconut oil|Coconut]] and [[Babassu oil|Babassu]] || Virgin flew a biofuel test flight between London and Amsterdam, using a 20% blend of biofuels in one of its engines<ref name="flight global">{{Cite news|title=Partners carry out first biofuel flight using Virgin 747|publisher=[[Flight International]]|date=24 February 2008|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/partners-carry-out-first-biofuel-flight-using-virgin-747-221790/|first=Graham|last=Dunn|accessdate=25 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/environment/biofuel.jsp|title=Virgin Atlantic Airways - Popup|author=Virgin Atlantic Airways|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | December 2008 || [[Air New Zealand]] || [[Boeing 747-400|Boeing 747]] || [[Jatropha]] || A two-hour test flight using a 50-50 mixture of the new biofuel with [[Jet fuel|Jet A-1]] in the number one position Rolls Royce RB-211 engine of 747-400 ZK-NBS, was successfully completed on 30 December 2008. The engine was then removed to be scrutinised and studied to identify any differences between the Jatropha blend and regular Jet A1. No effects to performance were found.<ref>[http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/air-new-zealand-flies-on-engine-with-jatropha-biofuel-blend/ 'Air New Zealand Demonstration Flight']</ref> |- | January 2009 || [[Continental Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737-800|Boeing 737]] || [[Algae]] and [[Jatropha]] || [[Continental Airlines]] ran the first flight of an algae-fueled jet. The flight from Houston's [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]] completed a circuit over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilots on board executed a series of tests at {{convert|38000|ft}}, including a mid-flight engine shutdown. [[Larry Kellner]], chief executive of Continental Airlines, said they had tested a drop-in fuel which meant that no modification to the engine was required. The fuel was praised for having a low flash point and sufficiently low freezing point, issues that have been problematic for other bio-fuels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2009/01/08/continental-airlines-tests-aviation-biofuel-first-use-of-algae-first-us-biofuel-test-flight-first-two-engine-flight/ |title=Continental Airlines tests aviation biofuel; first use of algae; first US biofuel test flight; first two-engine flight |last=Lane |first=Jim |date=2009-01-08 |publisher=Biofuels Digest |accessdate=2009-09-20 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225003204/http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2009/01/08/continental-airlines-tests-aviation-biofuel-first-use-of-algae-first-us-biofuel-test-flight-first-two-engine-flight |archivedate=2009-12-25 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title =First flight of algae-fuelled jet | publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2009-01-08 | accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref> |- | January 2009 || [[Japan Airlines]] || [[Boeing 747-300|Boeing 747]] || [[Camelina]], [[Jatropha]] and [[algae]] || [[Japan Airlines]] conducted a one and a half hour flight with one engine burning a 50/50 mix of [[Jet-A]] and biofuel from the ''[[Camelina]]'' plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200901/001108.html|title=Jan 30, 2009 JAL Flight Brings Aviation One Step Closer to Using Biofuel|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | April 2010 || US Navy || [[F/A-18]] || [[Camelina]] || The Navy tested this biofuel blend on the F⁄A-18 Super Hornet aka "Green Hornet". Results from those tests indicated the aircraft performed as expected through its full flight envelope with no degradation of capability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47405|title=Fuels Team Plans Super Hornet Biofuels Flight Test|author=This story was written Robert Kaper, Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | March 2010 || US Air Force || [[A-10 Thunderbolt|A-10]]|| [[Camelina]] || On March 25, 2010, the United States Air Force conducted the first flight of an aircraft with all engines powered by a biofuel blend. The flight, performed on an [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10]] at Eglin Air Force Base, used a 50/50 blend of [[JP-8]] and [[Camelina]]-based fuel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id%3D123197415 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-04-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409084432/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123197415 |archivedate=2010-04-09 |df= }}</ref> |- | June 2010 || Dutch Military || Ah-64 Apache Helicopter || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] |- | June 2010 || EADS || Diamond D42 || [[Algae]] || Occurred at an [[air show]] in [[Berlin]] in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=ila_2010&id=news/awx/2010/06/07/awx_06_07_2010_p0-232525.xml&headline=EADS%20Sets%20First%20Public%20Algae-Biofuel%20Flight%20At%20ILA%20Berlin|title=EADS Sets First Public Algae-Biofuel Flight At ILA Berlin|last=Morris|first=John|date=2010-06-07|publisher=Aviation Week|accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref> |- | November 2010 || US Navy || [[MH-60S Seahawk]] || [[Camelina]] || Flown on 50⁄50 biofuel blend Nov. 18, 2010 in Patuxent River, Md. The helicopter, from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River tested a fuel mixture made from the Camelina seed. |- Sept 2010 Smokey Young Air Racing [Western Air Racing Special] F.A.I. Class C1a 100&nbsp;km Closed Course World Speed Record established using 100% biofuel to replace 100LL AVGAS> | November 2010 || TAM || [[Airbus 320]] || [[Jatropha]] || A 50⁄50 biofuel blend of conventional and jatropha oil<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/biofuel-airbus-a320/17123/|title=Biofuel Airbus A320 completes first successful test flight|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | June 2011 || [[Boeing]] || [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-8F]] || [[Camelina]] || Boeing flew its new model 747-8F to the Paris Air Show with all four engines burning a 15% mix of biofuel from camelina<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-747-8f-biofuel-pilot-takes-landmark-flight-in-his-358518/|title=PARIS: 747-8F biofuel pilot takes landmark flight in his stride|work=Flightglobal.com|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- |June 2011 || Honeywell || Gulfstream G450 || [[Camelina]] || The first transatlantic [[biofuel]]s flight using a 50/50 blend of [[camelina]]-based biofuel and [[petroleum]]-based fuel.<ref>{{cite news | last =Cattermole | first =Tannith | title =Gulfstream G450 crosses the Atlantic on 50/50 biofuel-jetfuel blend | newspaper =GizMag | date =June 26, 2011 | url =http://www.gizmag.com/honeywell-gulstream-g450-transatlantic-biofuel/18998/ | accessdate = March 7, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Paur | first =Jason | title =Trans-Atlantic Biofuel Flights Kick Off Paris Air Show | publisher =WIRED | date =June 17, 2011 | url =https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/06/transatlantic-biofuel-flights-kick-off-paris-air-show/ | accessdate =March 7, 2012 }}</ref> |- | August 2011 || US Navy || [[T-45 Goshawk|T-45]] || [[Camelina]] || Successfully flew a T-45 training aircraft using biofuels at the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Patuxent River, Maryland. The flight was completed by the “Salty Dogs” of [[VX-23|Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23]] flying on biofuel mixture of 50/50 petroleum-based JP-5 jet fuel and plant-based camelina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://domesticfuel.com/2011/08/29/us-navy-completes-successful-t-45-biofuel-flight/|title=US Navy Completes Successful T-45 Biofuel Flight|work=Energy|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | September 2011 || US Navy || [[AV-8B]] || [[Camelina]] || Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake performed the first bio-fuel flight test in AV-8B Harrier from [[VX-31|Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction%3Dhome.NAVAIRNewsStory%26id%3D4766 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-10-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403025638/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=4766 |archivedate=2012-04-03 |df= }}</ref> |- | October 2011 || [[Air China]] || [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400]] || [[Jatropha]] || [[Air China]] flew China's first flight using aviation biofuels. The flight was conducted using Chinese grown jatropha oil from [[PetroChina]]. The flight was 2 hours in duration above Beijing, and used 50% biofuel in 1 engine.<ref>http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2011-10/29/content_14000985.htm 'China's first biofuels flight'</ref> |- | November 2011 || [[Continental Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-800]] || [[Algae fuel|Algae]] || United / Continental flew a biofuel flight from IAH to ORD on algae [[jet fuel]] supplied by [[Solazyme]]. The fuel was partially derived from genetically modified algae that feed on plant waste and produce oil. It was the first biofuel-powered air service in the US.<ref>{{cite news | last =Hilkevitch | first =Jon | title =Continental Airlines flight is first in U.S. to use biofuel | newspaper =LA Times | date =November 11, 2011 | url =http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/11/business/la-fi-biofuel-airlines-20111111 | accessdate =April 16, 2012 }}</ref> |- | November 2011 || [[Alaska Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737]] and [[Bombardier QSeries|Bombardier Q400]] || [[Algae fuel|Algae]] || [[Alaska Airlines]] and its sister carrier, [[Horizon Air]], converted 75 flights on their schedules to run on a fuel mixture of 80% kerosene and 20% [[biofuel]] derived from used cooking oil. The biofuel was made by Dynamic Fuels, a joint venture of [[Tyson Foods]] and Syntroleum Corp.<ref>{{cite press release | title =Alaska Airlines Launching Biofuel-Powered Commercial Service In The United States | publisher =Alaska Airlines | date =November 7, 2011 | url =http://splash.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/ASNews/ASstories/AS_20111107_005216.asp | accessdate =December 30, 2011 }}</ref> |- | January 2012 || [[Etihad Airways]] || [[Boeing 777-300ER]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || [[Etihad Airways]] conducted a biofuel flight from Abu Dhabi to Seattle using a combination of traditional jet fuel and fuel based on recycled vegetable cooking oil<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/article/etihad-conducts-seattle-abu-dhabi-biofuel-flight-0221|title=Etihad conducts Seattle-Abu Dhabi biofuel flight|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | April 2012 || [[Qantas]] || [[Airbus A330]] || Refined cooking oil || [[Qantas]] used 50/50 mix of biofuel supplied by SkyNRG and Jet-A fuel in one engine for a flight from [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] to [[Adelaide Airport|Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-makes-its-first-flight-on-refined-cooking-oil-to-reduce-reliance-on-traditional-jet-fuel/story-e6frg95x-1226326010304 |title=Qantas makes its first flight on refined cooking oil, to reduce reliance on traditional jet fuel |date=2012-04-13}}</ref> |- | April 2012 || [[Porter Airlines]] || [[Bombardier Q400]] || [[Camelina]] and [[Brassica carinata]] || [[Porter Airlines]] used 50/50 mix of biofuel (49% ''Camelina sativa'' and 1% ''Brassica carinataand'') and Jet-A fuel in one engine for a flight from Toronto to Ottawa.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jordan |last=Chittley |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/porter-airlines-operates-first-biofuel-powered-passenger-flight-143555317.html |title=Porter Airlines operates first biofuel-powered passenger flight in Canada |date=2012-04-18}}</ref> |- | October 2012 || [[National Research Council (Canada)|NRC]] || [[Dassault Falcon 20]] || [[Brassica carinata]] || First jet to fly on 100% biofuels that meet petroleum specifications without blending. Fuel was produced by [[Applied Research Associates]] (ARA) and Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) from carinata oil supplied by Agrisoma Biosciences.<ref>{{cite web|title=NRC Flies World's First Civil Jet Powered by 100 Percent Biofuel|url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=a3309cef-59ee-4742-8f24-bb7d39a86cf8|publisher=Aero-news Network|accessdate=21 November 2012|date=7 November 2012}}</ref> |- | March 2013 || Paramus Flying Club || [[Cessna 182 Skylane]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || First piston engine aircraft to fly with a 50/50 blend of aviation biofuel and conventional Jet-A (as specified by ASTM D7566). First piston engine aircraft to fly with a biofuel blend operating under a standard (not experimental) airworthiness certificate. Demonstration flight from North Central State Airport (KSFZ) in Rhode Island to First Flight Airport (KFFA) in North Carolina took place on March 2, 2013. The Cessna 182 had been converted under STC to be powered by an SMA jet-fuel diesel cycle piston engine, and the blended biofuel was provided by SkyNRG of Holland. |} ===Commercial flights=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date !! Operator !! Platform !! Biofuel !! Notes |- ! ! ! ! ! |- | June 30, 2011 || [[KLM]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-800]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || KLM flew the world's first commercial biofuel flight, carrying 171 passengers from Amsterdam to Paris<ref>[http://www.klm.com/corporate/en/newsroom/press-releases/archive-2011/KLM_launches_commercial_flights_Amsterdam.html 'First commercial biofuel flight'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014222123/http://www.klm.com/corporate/en/newsroom/press-releases/archive-2011/KLM_launches_commercial_flights_Amsterdam.html |date=October 14, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.klm.com/corporate/en/about-klm/history/|title=History - KLM Corporate|access-date=2017-04-15|language=nl-en}}</ref> |- | July 15, 2011 || [[Lufthansa]] || [[Airbus A321]] || [[Jatropha]], [[Camelina]] and [[animal fat]]s|| First German commercial biofuel's flight, and the start of 6-month regular series of flights from Hamburg to Frankfurt with one of the two engines use biofuel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2094319/lufthansas-biofuel-trial-takes-air-commercial-flight|title=Lufthansa's biofuel trial takes to the air with first commercial flight|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> It officially ended on January 12, 2012 with a flight from Frankfurt to Washington and would not take biofuel further unless the biofuel was more widely produced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.kompas.com/read/2012/01/12/07124430/Lufthansa.Wraps.up.Biofuel.Test.on.German.Flights |title=Lufthansa Wraps up Biofuel Test on German Flights |date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> |- | July 20, 2011 || [[Finnair]] || [[Airbus A319]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || The 1,500&nbsp;km journey between Amsterdam and Helsinki was fuelled with a mix of 50 per cent biofuel derived from used cooking oil and 50 per cent conventional jet fuel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=1300|title=Finnair’s scheduled commercial biofuel flight marks a step towards more sustainable flying, says airline on GreenAir Online|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> Finnair says it will conduct at least three weekly Amsterdam-to-Helsinki flights using the biofuel blend in both of the aircraft's engines. Refueling will be done at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/finnair-to-attempt-longest-commercial-biofuel-flight-in-aviation/|title=Finnair to attempt longest commercial biofuel flight in aviation history|author=Eric Loveday|date=20 July 2011|work=Autoblog|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Jul 2011 || [[Interjet]] || [[Airbus A320]] || [[Jatropha]] || Flight was powered by 27% jatropha between Mexico City and Tuxtla Gutierrez<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mexicos-interjet-conducts-commercial-biofuel-flight-359912/|title=Mexico's Interjet conducts commercial biofuel flight|work=Flightglobal.com|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Aug 2011 || [[AeroMexico]] || [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200]] || [[Jatropha]] || Aeromexico flew the world's first trans-Atlantic revenue flight, from Mexico City to Madrid with passengers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeromexico.com/us/ExperienceAeromexico/AeromexicoCorporate/PressRoom/Green-flight.html|title=Aeromexico United States - Travel with Aeromexico|author=Marketing Aeroméxico|work=aeromexico|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Oct 2011 || [[Thomson Airways]] || [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-200]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || Thomson flew the UK's first commercial biofuel flight from [[Birmingham Airport]] on one engine using biofuel from used cooking oil, supplied by [[SkyNRG]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/thomson-airways-operates-britains-first-biofuel-flight/|title=Thomson Airways operates Britain’s first biofuel flight|work=Breaking Travel News|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Nov 2011 || [[Continental Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-800]] || [[Algae fuel]] ||United / Continental flew biofuel flight from [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|IAH]] to [[O'Hare International Airport|ORD]] on algae jet fuel, which supplied by [[Solazyme]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-biofuel-airlines-20111111,0,3609127.story | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Jon | last=Hilkevitch | title=Continental Airlines flight is first in U.S. to use biofuel | date=2011-11-11}}</ref> |- | April 19, 2012 || [[Jetstar Airways]] ||Airbus A320|| Refined cooking oil || JQ flight 705 departed Melbourne at 0950 and arrived in Hobart at 1105 supplied by SkyNRG <ref name="jetstar.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.jetstar.com/mediacentre/latest-announcements/detail?id=AE346285-0C42-46E6-AE17-23F3DF2666A3 |title=First commercial sustainable aviation fuel flight to Tasmania |publisher= |accessdate=25 September 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010629/http://www.jetstar.com/mediacentre/latest-announcements/detail?id=AE346285-0C42-46E6-AE17-23F3DF2666A3 |archivedate=26 September 2015 |df= }}</ref> |- | March 13, 2013 || [[KLM]] || [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-206ER]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || KLM begins weekly flights by a Boeing 777-200 between John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, USA and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Netherlands<ref name="klmtakescare.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.klmtakescare.com/en/content/weekly-flight-using-sustainable-biofuel|title=KLM Takes Care|work=KLM Takes Care|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> using Biofuel supplied by [[SkyNRG]]<ref name="skynrg.com">{{cite web|url=http://skynrg.com/|title=SkyNRG Home - SkyNRG|work=SkyNRG|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | May 16, 2014 || [[KLM]] || [[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || KLM begins weekly flights by an Airbus A330-200 between Queen Beatrix International Airport, in Oranjestad [[Aruba]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.klmtakescare.com/en/content/aruba-and-bonaire-on-biofuel-|title=KLM Takes Care|work=KLM Takes Care|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Netherlands (with a stop-over in Bonaire)<ref name="klmtakescare.com"/> using Biofuel supplied by [[SkyNRG]]<ref name="skynrg.com"/> |- | Aug 4, 2014 || [[Gol Transportes Aéreos]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-700]] || Inedible [[corn oil]] and [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || Gol Flight 2152 took off from Rio Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) towards Brasilia (BSB) with a 4% mix of bio jetfuel <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubrabio.com.br/1891/Documentos/PrecisamosDeBioindustriaFuncionandoComExcelenciaNoPais_231150|title=Precisamos de bioindústria funcionando com excelência no país|work=Ubrabio - União Brasileira de Biodiesel e Bioquerosene|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Nov 7, 2014 || [[Scandinavian Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-600]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || SAS Flight SK2064 flew their first ever flight using bio-fuel between [[Stockholm]] and [[Östersund]] using a 10% blend of JET A1 based on used cooking oil. It was also the first flight from [[Arlanda Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sasgroup.net/en/sas-today-flew-their-first-flight-on-synthetic-jet-a1-based-on-renewable-sources/|title=SAS today flew their first flight on synthetic JET A1 based on renewable sources|author=SAS|work=SAS|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Nov 11, 2014 || [[Scandinavian Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-700]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || SAS Flight SK371 flew the first ever Norwegian domestic flight using bio-fuel between [[Trondheim]] and [[Oslo]] using a 48% blend of JET A1 based on used cooking oil<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sasgroup.net/en/sas-tar-av-med-biofuel/|title=SAS tar av med biofuel|author=SAS|work=SAS|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- | Mar 21, 2015 || [[Hainan Airlines]] || [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-800]] || [[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] || Hainan Airlines conducted China's first commercial biofuel flight carrying 156 passengers from Shanghai to Beijing. The fuel, supplied by [[Sinopec]], was a fuel blend of approximately 50 percent aviation biofuel mixed with conventional petroleum jet fuel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cleantechnica.com/2015/03/25/boeing-hainan-airlines-operate-chinas-first-cooking-oil-powered-flight/|title=Boeing, Hainan Airlines Operate China’s First Cooking Oil-powered Flight|work=CleanTechnica|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> |- |Mar 31, 2016 |[[KLM]] |[[Embraer 190]] |Unknown |KLM operated an Embraer 190 on Biofuel between Oslo and Schiphol, Amsterdam. Embraer used these flights to measure the efficiency of the Embraer 190 on biofuel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.klm.com/klms-flights-from-oslo-to-be-powered-by-new-biofuel/|title=KLM’s flights from Oslo to be powered by new biofuel|author=KLM|work=KLM|accessdate=13 April 2017}}</ref> |- |Sept 8, 2016 |[[KLM]] |[[Boeing 747-400]] |[[Yellow grease|Waste vegetable oil]] |KLM signed a contract to operate all daily flights from [[LAX]] to Schiphol, Amsterdam. SkyNRG supplies the sustainable biofuel, which is made from used cooking oil by AltAir Fuels in Los Angeles. All flights from Los Angeles to Amsterdam are operated with biofuel until 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.klm.com/klm-to-operate-biofuel-flights-out-of-los-angeles/|title=KLM to operate biofuel flights out of Los Angeles|author=KLM|work=KLM|accessdate=13 April 2017}}</ref> |- |May 1, 2017 |[[Singapore Airlines]] |[[Airbus A350 XWB#A350-900|Airbus A350-900]] |HEFA (hydro-processed esters and fatty acids) |Singapore Airlines begun a series of biofuel flights using A350-900 aircraft on non-stop trans-Pacific flights between Singapore and San Francisco. The project is being undertaken by Singapore Airlines in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and air navigation service providers, using enhanced flight operations and Air Traffic Management (ATM) practices along the flight route. |- |August 28, 2018 |Spicejet Airlines, India |Bombardier Q400 (VT-SUI) |Agricultural residues, non-edible oils and bio-degradable fractions of industrial and municipal wastes |India’s first biofuel-powered flight was successfully tested between Dehradun to Delhi carrying DGCA officials to ascertain the feasibility of biofuel powered flights. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/biofuel-powered-spicejet-flight-indias-first-to-be-tested-today-from-dehradun-to-delhi-1906640|title=A Plane That Runs On Fuel Made by 500 Families, A First In India|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> |} ==Environmental effects== {{further|Environmental impact of aviation|Biofuel#Greenhouse gas emissions}} A [[life cycle assessment]] by the Yale School of Forestry on [[jatropha]], one source of potential biofuels, estimated using it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% if former agro-pastoral land is used, or increase emissions by up to 60% if natural woodland is converted to use.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Bailis | first1 = R. E. | last2 = Baka | first2 = J. E. | doi = 10.1021/es1019178 | title = Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Land Use Change fromJatropha Curcas-Based Jet Fuel in Brazil | journal = Environmental Science & Technology | volume = 44 | issue = 22 | pages = 8684 | year = 2010 | pmid = | pmc = }}</ref> In addition, biofuels do not contain sulfur compounds and thus do not emit sulfur dioxide. Many different standards exist for certification of [[sustainable biofuel]]s. One such standard often cited by airlines is the one developed by the [[Sustainable biofuel#Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials|Roundtable For Sustainable Biofuels]]. Nearly all such standards include a minimum amount of greenhouse gas reduction and consideration that biofuels do not compete with food. ==See also== * [[Aviation and the environment]] * [[Environmental effects of biodiesel]] * [[Sustainable aviation fuel]] ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Further reading== * {{cite web |url= https://www.climatesolutions.org/sites/default/files/uploads/safn_2011report.pdf |publisher= Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest |title= Powering the Next Generation of Flight |date= 2011}} * {{cite web |url= https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP107203&dsid=DS3 |title= Sustainable Aviation Fuel Road Map |date= May 2011 |publisher= [[CSIRO]] |author= Paul Graham et al.}} * {{cite web |url= http://www.atag.org/component/downloads/downloads/97.html |title= Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels |date= September 2011 |publisher= [[Air Transport Action Group]]}} * {{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/technology/opinion-biofuels-sustainable-essential-aviation-s-future |title= Opinion: Biofuels Sustainable, Essential To Aviation’s Future |date= Oct 23, 2017 |author= Adam Klauber and Isaac Toussie ([[Rocky Mountain Institute]]), Steve Csonka ([[Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative]]), Barbara Bramble ([[National Wildlife Federation]]) |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}} ==External links== * [http://www.airbus.com/innovation/eco-efficiency/operations/alternative-fuels/ Airbus] - ''Alternative fuels'' * [http://boeing.com/aboutus/environment/environment_report_10/3_biofuels_pg_2.html Boeing] - 2010 Environment report ''Sustainable Biofuels'' * [http://www.iata.org/pressroom/facts_figures/fact_sheets/Pages/alt-fuels.aspx International Air Transport Association] - ''Fact Sheet: Alternative Fuels'' * [http://www.sustainableablesky.com Sustainable Sky Institute]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [http://www.enviro.aero/SustainableBiofuels.aspx www.enviro.aero (Air Transport Action Group)] - ''Sustainable biofuels'' * [[Appropedia:Air travel, climate change, and green consumerism|Air travel, climate change, and green consumerism]] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928031547/http://www.aef.org.uk/?category_name=biofuel Aviation Environment Federation - Biofuel] * [http://www.cleancluster.dk/NISA Nordic Initiative for Sustainable Aviation] [[Category:Algae biofuels]] [[Category:Aviation and the environment]] [[Category:Biofuels]] [[Category:Aviation fuels]]'