Airbus and alternative fuel technologies

Did you know?

The already operational Airbus A380 generates as little as 75 g of CO2 per passenger kilometer; in comparison the European car industry aims at 140 g of CO2 per km in 2009.
Airbus' roadmap to 2030 and to sustainable and renewable second-generation biofuel feedstocks will draw on two research projects referred to as CALIN and Alpha-Bird.

What are we doing?

On 01 February 2008, an A380 test flight was flown between Filton and Toulouse with one engine powered by a blend of liquid kerosene processed from gas (Gas-To-Liquid --GTL) with standard jet kerosene, with a 40% and 60% ratio respectively.
The test, part of Airbus' research programme into alternative fuels, was run in collaboration with Shell International Petroleum, Rolls Royce and Qatar GTL consortium.
In researching alternative fuel, Airbus is looking for a drop-in product, meaning that it could be used in aircraft currently in service. It would equal or better the aircraft performance while offering environmental benefits.

What is the result?

Alternative fuel flight demonstrations explore the technical feasibility of using non-conventional fuels in a commercial jetliner and represent a significant step toward a long-term vision of fully sustainable, low-carbon-lifecycle fuel solutions for the aviation industry.
Airbus aims to have a 50% blend fuel approved by 2009 and a 100% GTL fuel by 2013.

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