Qatar Airways has entered into an agreement with major companies in the aviation, fuel and educational sectors to power its aircraft with natural gas.
The airline would be the first commercial airline in the world to operate flights using gas-to-liquids kerosene fuel.
Qatar believes it will be environmentally friendly and will help reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact on climate change.
”There is a huge movement lobbying for the reduction in carbon emissions to make for a cleaner and safer environment.” said Qatar Airways, CEO, Akbar Al Baker.
The airline signed a Letter of Intent at the Dubai Air show yesterday(14 November), to investigate fuel-related benefits of using Synthetic Jet Fuels to power aviation turbine engines.
Joining Qatar in the investigation will be Shell, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Qatar Science & Technology Park and Woqod (Qatar Fuel Company), to be carried out in the next few years.
Baker added, ”Together with our partners, we will all work in close collaboration to study the use of synthetic jet fuels, or GTL kerosene in our drive towards a cleaner and safer world.
”We at Qatar Airways look onward to becoming the first airline in the world to power commercial aircraft with natural gas.”
As jet fuel prices rise, GTL kerosene is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel burn and improve aircraft operational efficiency.
Qatar Airways runs a department which specifically looks at ways to reduce fuel burn by eliminating unnecessary weight on aircraft, such as potable water, lighter in-flight amenities and meal equipment.
Trails using gas-to-liquids fuel will be carried out following the intensive study and a worldwide industry approval of individual equipment manufacturers and regulators.