Biofuel Aircraft Makes Historic First Passenger Flight

A highly significant moment within the history of aviation biofuels took place on November 24th 2009 with the world’s first commercial, biofuel-powered flight.  The flight was carried out by Dutch carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and involved a Boeing 747 four-engined commercial airliner.  It lasted for one-and-a-half hours and took place entirely over Holland.  It should be noted, however, that biofuel was not used in all four engines.  Rather, one engine was powered by a 50-50 mix of kerosene and sustainable biofuel, the other three on kerosene alone. 

Aviation Biofuel

According to Peter Hartman – chief executive of KLM – the aviation biofuel used in this instance was capable of inducing a maximum 80 per cent reduction in associated aviation CO2 emissions over standard aircraft jet fuel.  “We hope to receive certification at the end of 2010”, he added.

Greenhouse gas emissions created by aircraft powering their way through the world’s skies are reported to represent up to four per cent of the global emissions total.  According to experts, as much as 2.4 billion tonnes of aviation-related CO2 emissions could have been released by the middle of this century – a figure that would take the industry’s global share much higher (and four times over current levels).  On this basis, commercial and military aircraft producers and operators alike are researching new sustainable fuel types. 

“We have demonstrated that it [commercial aviation biofuel power] is possible”, KLM’s Hartman stressed.  “Government, industry and society at large must now join forces to ensure that we quickly gain access to a continuous supply of biofuel.”

KLM Biofuel Flight

At the beginning of 2009, a Continental Airlines Boeing 737 alternative fuels flight took place, in which one engine was 50 per cent biofuel-powered.  Then, as with the KLM biofuel flight, the fuel used was a product of Honeywell International division UOP (Universal Oil Products).  According to UOP itself, this fuel is capable of being used within a half-and-half biofuel/kerosene blend without the need to introduce new engine technology.

After the KLM flight, the next step will involve compiling data gleaned from the test flight and producing a report in order to obtain commercial certification for the fuel, UOP said.