It is interesting to reflect on the past couple of years in the aviation industry.

When I first became involved in aviation at a global level in 2006, no one really believed biofuels would make much of an impact. In fact, there were those who thought biofuels were an impossible sell to aviation, considering the high-energy performance needed in extreme operating conditions.

It is amazing how things change. The accelerated research since 2006 means we have already seen a test flight from Virgin Atlantic, with Air New Zealand undertaking another before the end of this year and both Continental Airlines and ANA planning test flights for next year. We now have airlines planning to replace significant proportions of their jet fuel with sustainable biofuel drop-ins.

An announcement overnight is another in a series of steps to achieve this goal. Boeing has joined with Honeywell, WWF, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Yale University and group of airlines to form the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group. The airlines involved are: Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA, Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Together, these airlines account for around 15% of world commercial jet fuel use, so their combined buying power has the potential to significantly accelerate the study and development of biofuels.

The project will initially provide in-depth studies into two potential fuel sources: jatropha and algae. The studies will provide the industry with greater understanding of the potential fuel yield, lifecycle carbon output and resources required to produce the fuel.

There has been a bit of media attention about algae as a potential source of aviation fuel – it is very fast growing and could provide the same performance characteristics as the JetA1 fuel currently used.

Jatropha is less well known. This shrub-type plant (shown on the left) is able to grow in very inhospitable conditions, is fast-growing and isn’t really a food source for anything – the seeds are toxic. However, when pressed, these seeds produce an oil that can be turned into biodiesel and a sustainable drop-in jet fuel.

The exciting thing about these options is they aren’t food sources, nor do they compete for land or water with food crops – vital differences with some first-generation biofuel sources.

UOP, which is a Honeywell company, is also working with Airbus, International Aero Engines and JetBlue Airways on a similar project, developing and testing fuels from biomass.

These projects signify two things: that the industry works together to achieve the goals it needs to; and that air transport is truly committed to the future of flight being sustainable.

With algae, jatropha, switchgrass and other potential sources of fuel, the question is: what exactly will we be filling our aircraft with in 10 years?

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