Alternative jet fuel flight makes history for Qatar

At Qatar Airways environmental initiatives continue to get the green light as the airline sets about its goal of becoming one of the greenest in the world. Having in 2009 joined the Aviation Global Deal Group that aims to develop a global policy dealing with carbon emissions, the airline has also partnered with Iata in establishing a carbon offset trading assurance which will offer passengers the opportunity to fly carbon neutral. “We take environmental conservation very seriously and continue to adopt steps in our efforts to become one of the greenest airlines in the world,” says a spokesman for the company. In October last year the airline made aviation history when it saw the world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by alternative jet fuel produced from natural gas take to the air. This milestone flight was the first step in making this alternative fuel available to airlines. “The fuel burns with lower sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions than pure conventional oil-based kerosene, making it attractive for improving local air quality at busy airports. GTL Jet Fuel offers airlines access to alternative oil-based conventional fuels. This diversity of supply for the industry – gas-based rather than oil-based – will add a high quality drop-in blend component to the global jet fuel pool for many decades to come,” says the spokesman. In January this year Qatar Airways announced its entry into the next phase of alternative fuels with a decision to jointly carry out engineering and economic analysis to develop sustainable bio jet fuel that will also look into ways for production and supply, with the support of Airbus. “It is about leading the charge towards environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility,” says the airline in a statement. “”We are committed to the environment and want to position ourselves as a leader in new-generation fuel research.”