The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has launched a series of connecting flights powered by sustainable alternative fuels in support of its Rio+20 global initiative, ‘Flightpath to a Sustainable Future’.
With backing from the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the initiative was also joined by an Azul Airlines and Embraer biofuel test flight, powered by a sugar cane blend, in addition to another biofuel flight from Europe.
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According to ICAO, the airlines participating in the initiative include Porter Airlines, Air Canada and Aeroméxico; as well as GOL, which will operate Bombardier, Airbus and Boeing produced aircraft powered by biofuel blends on routes from Montréal to Rio de Janeiro.
ICAO secretary general Raymond Benjamin said: "This is truly a world-first series of flights, and one which demonstrates that the whole air transport sector is working together to make significant advances across a range of sustainability issues, so that it can continue to fulfil its role as a catalyst for economic and social development, while reducing its impact on the environment."
ICAO Council president Roberto Kobeh González added that such a collaborative enterprise demonstrated that sustainable biofuels are now a reality.
"From camelina to used cooking oil or jatropha, advanced alternative fuels help save significant amounts of CO2 emissions, while not competing for land or water with food crops," Gonzalez added.
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By GlobalDataThe availability of aviation biofuel for airlines is currently lacking; although it is expected to receive a boost with assistance from governments, which will allow producers to supply the required quantities at a reduced price over traditional jet fuel.
ATAG executive director Paul Steele said that aviation was a key provider of economic growth and social development, which currently supports 56.6 million jobs and more than $2.2 trillion of global GDP.
"We need governments to step up and help craft the sustainable future we all want," Steele added.
Image: ICAO secretary general Raymond Benjamin during the launch of ‘Flightpath to a Sustainable Future’ the ICAO Rio+20 Global Initiative. Photo: courtesy of International Civil Aviation Organization.
