Aviation biofuels on the up and up

LUFTHANSA probably thought it was on a public relations winner when it began operating flights using a mix of biofuel and regular jet fuel between Frankfurt and Hamburg in 2011.

However, the ''green skies'' branding potential of lower-carbon-emission air travel took a dive when environment groups revealed the supplier was tapping fuel from palm oil plantations blamed for rainforest destruction.

Partly lost in the furore were findings from the almost 1200 flights that the biofuel mix was not only reliable but delivered 1 per cent better efficiency.

The savings and pitfalls of using low-carbon jet fuels will feature this week at a two-day conference starting on Tuesday as part of the Avalon Air Show.

biodieselmagazine.com»