Qantas is celebrating the world’s first dedicated transpacific biofuel flight with flight QF96 from Los Angeles to Melbourne.
The 15-hour flight is operating with around 24,000kg of blended biofuel, saving 18,000kg of carbon emissions onboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – around 7 per cent less than normal operations. According to fuel manufacturer Agrisoma Biosciences, its biofuel replaced 10 per cent of the petroleum fuel needed for the flight.
The biofuel was process from Brassica Carinata (pictured), a non-food type of mustard seed. Qantas says that across its lifecycle, using Carinata-based biofuel can reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent compared to traditional jet fuel.
Qantas and Agrisoma have entered a partnership that will see the companies work with Australian farmers to grow the country’s first commercial aviation biofuel seed crop by 2020.
Alison Webster, CEO of Qantas International, said: “Our partnership with Agrisoma marks a big step in the development of a renewable jet fuel industry in Australia – it is a project we are really proud to be part of as we look at ways to reduce carbon emissions across our operations.”
Steve Fabijanski, CEO of Agrisoma, added: “Biojet fuel made from Carinata delivers both oil for biofuel and protein for animal nutrition while also enhancing the soil it’s grown in. We are excited about the potential of the crop in Australia and look forward to working with local farmer and Qantas to develop a clean energy source for the local aviation industry.”
Flight QF96 will land in Melbourne at 1010 local time on 30 January.
qantas.com