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Air New Zealand to follow Virgin Atlantic's lead

Posted March 18th, 2008 by RichC

It's not automotive, but it might just be the future of aviation fuel and biodiesel. With an estimated 18% of greenhouse gases coming from the airline industry, using a better fuel make sense ... and when its produced from algae its even better!

biofuel test flight Aquaflow tipped for Air NZ biofuel flight

by Fiona Robertson
    Biodiesel firm Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation has appointed an aviation engineer to a new consulting position, lending weight to speculation that the company’s algae-based fuel will power Air New Zealand’s biofuel test flight.
   Des Ashton runs his own Blenheim-based aviation consultancy, Ashton Technologies, and was previously chief executive of Port Marlborough.
   His role will be as a consultant to lead operational development, in particular aviation projects.
   The first biofuel-powered plane trip was made just last month by a Virgin aeroplane using nut-derived fuel.
   At the time, Virgin boss Richard Branson told media that Air New Zealand would be the first airline to trial a “next-generation” algae-based fuel later this year.
Nelson-based Aquaflow has developed its biofuel from sewage algae and has already test-driven its fuel in land vehicles.
   Air New Zealand is partnering with Boeing and Rolls Royce in its biofuel project, though it has not confirmed what fuel will be used.