Wednesday 25 March 2015

China lands its first biofuel flight

China’s largest private carrier has completed the nation’s first commercial flight powered by waste cooking oil.

Hainan Airlines used biofuel made by Sinopec from waste cooking oil collected from local restaurants to fly from Shanghai to Beijing.

Both engines in the Boeing 737-800 were powered by a fuel blend of around 50% aviation biofuel mixed with conventional petroleum jet fuel.

Sustainably produced biofuel is estimated to cut carbon emissions by 50% - 80% compared to petroleum.

Pu Ming, Vice President of Hainan Airlines, who piloted the plane said: "As a fast-growing domestic and international carrier, Hainan Airlines is demonstrating our environmental commitment by showing that aviation biofuel can play a safe and effective role in China's air transport system."