Continental Airlines - Biofuels Flight Demonstration

Set for 2009

Continental Airlines is the first North American airline to pursue alternative fuels. It isn't all that surprising, with the exceedingly high cost of fuel that airlines would begin to search for alternatives, coupled with the possibility of future restrictions on carbon emissions, it seems good business sense to find something that will burn cleaner, and may eventually be less expensive in the long term.

In response to the changing air travel industry, Continental Airlines plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009. It's an effort to find sustainable fuel solutions for the airline industry. This demonstration is intended to highlight technological advancements in sustainable biofuels which would result in a further reduction of carbon emissions.

"Exploring sustainable biofuels is a logical and exciting new step in our environmental commitment. For more than a decade, we have been focused on reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, while providing industry-leading service to the places our customers want to go," stated Mark Moran, Continental Airlines executive vice president of operations. "Boeing and GE Aviation have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will benefit the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture."

Continental is partnering with Boeing and GE Aviation to make the demonstration flight a reality. Together, they are seeking sustainable fuel sources that do not impact food crops or water resources; which do not contribute to deforestation; and which can be produced in sufficient quantities.

Continental Airlines has achieved a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption per mainline revenue passenger mile flown over the past 10 years. Part of this has been realized by buying more fuel efficient aircraft, and partly by changing some operational procedures.