United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) on Friday became the first US carrier to complete a test flight using synthetic jet fuel made from natural gas.
The engineering validation flight was conducted using RenJet® fuel produced by Rentech, Inc. (NYSE AMEX: RTK) in a 40/60 mix with conventional Jet A
fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft.
The fuel, derived from natural gas, is approved by ASTM International, the international technical
standards organization. It is a
drop-in fuel, which means that it can be used in existing engines with
no modifications required.
The aircraft
departed Denver International Airport and
climbed to an altitude of 39,000 feet while an onboard team of 19
engineers collected
data on the performance of the fuel.
Joseph Kolshak, United Airlines senior vice president of operations said the test was the next step in stimulating competition in the aviation fuel supply chain.
Several carriers, including Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, have been testing biofuels over the last couple years. And British Airways (BAY.L) recently announced a partnership with US company Solena Group to produce jet fuel from waste biomass in London.
Last year, United along with more than 15 other domestic and international passenger and cargo carriers signed Memorandums of Understanding that are intended to serve as a framework for future supply agreements for certified synthetic jet fuel and for jet fuel derived from camelina oil, a next-generation biofuel feedstock.
Loading...