Renewable biofuel to power Qantas aircraft from 2020

October 16, 2017: Qantas has entered into partnership with US based bio-energy company, SG Preston, to reduce the airline’s carbon emissions on its services operating between the US and Australia. Over the next ten years, the airline will purchase eight million gallons (30 million litres) of renewable jet fuel each year to power its Los […]

Renewable biofuel to power Qantas aircraft from 2020
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October 16, 2017: Qantas has entered into partnership with US based bio-energy company, SG Preston, to reduce the airline’s carbon emissions on its services operating between the US and Australia.

Over the next ten years, the airline will purchase eight million gallons (30 million litres) of renewable jet fuel each year to power its Los Angeles based aircraft from 2020.

The fuel will be used by Qantas’ aircraft operating from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Australia and follows the Qantas Group’s successful domestic biofuel trial flights in 2012.

The fuel consists of 50 percent renewable jet fuel produced from non-food plant oils, blended with 50 percent traditional jet fuel. Compared to standard jet fuel, the biofuel emits half the amount of carbon emissions per gallon over its life cycle.

Gareth Evans, CEO of Qantas International and Freight, said the commercial biofuel agreement is the first of its kind in Australian aviation history. “The partnership with SG Preston is part of our commitment to lowering carbon emissions across our operations and sees us becoming the first Australian airline to use renewable jet fuel on an ongoing basis.

“As an airline group we are constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace new technologies and this partnership is a significant step on that journey.

“Our agreement with SG Preston allows us to secure a supply for our Los Angeles based aircraft where we have a large fuel demand and where the biofuel industry is more advanced.

“Through our biofuel programme we are also exploring renewable jet fuel opportunities in Australia and continue to work with suppliers to develop locally produced biofuels for aviation use.

“We look forward to providing a high-performance renewable fuel for one of the most important routes on their international network,” director of Environment for IATA, Michael Gill applauded Qantas and SG Preston on the new deal.

“IATA congratulates Qantas and SG Preston on this landmark agreement, being the first commercial biofuel offtake for an Australian airline.

Renewable jet fuel is chemically equivalent to, and meets the same technical, performance and safety standards as conventional jet fuel. SG Preston’s biofuel is produced from renewable plant oils, which do not compete with food production and which meet Qantas’ stringent sustainability certification requirements.

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