Air New Zealand to conduct biofuel trials

Air New Zealand, New Zealand’s national carrier which is 76% owned by the government, said it has signed an agreement with airplane maker Boeing and engine maker Rolls-Royce to work together on projects to make commercial aviation more environmentally sustainable. The first part of the deal is a trial flight of a Boeing 747 partly running on blended biofuels, to take place in the second half of 2008 or early 2009. One Rolls-Royce engine on the airplane will run on a blended mix of biofuels and kerosene while the other three will be powered by regular aviation fuel. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe said technology advances have made biofuels a viable possibility for the aviation industry sooner than expected. “Air New Zealand is keen to encourage research into alternative fuels and wants to work hand-in-hand with industry partners and the New Zealand government on promoting this type of activity,” he said. New Zealand announced last year the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first greenhouse gas-neutral nation. (September 28, 2007)