More and more Latin American airlines make biofuel flights a reality

Airbus is committed to suport biofuel inititaives

Latin America is experiencing an important milestone in aviation history and the environment stands to benefit. Biofuel flights are becoming a priority for the region’s top airlines and the Airbus A320 has been at the forefront every step of the way.

According to IATA, by 2020, the airline industry is committed to achieve carbon neutral growth and reach a 6 percent share of sustainable second-generation biofuel. By 2050, they hope to reach a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, as compared to 2005 levels. Big goals in deed, but considering that in the last 40 years the industry has reduced its emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2 per ton transported) by more than 50 percent, these goals can be attained.

As part of its commitment to be part of the solution, Airbus has developed a roadmap working towards making alternative fuel and biofuel technology a reality for aviation, while exploring all types of sustainable alternative fuels to find sustainable and local biofuel solutions for local communities. Several airlines in the region have already embraced the need to reduce CO2 emissions and speed up the commercialization of aviation biofuel. Some recent examples include:

- Earlier this month, LAN and Air BP Copec conducted the first commercial flight in South America in an A320 using biofuel from refined vegetable oil. The flight between the Chilean cities of Santiago and Concepcion helped LAN proclaim their efforts to generate an increasingly sustainable operation.

- In 2011, Interjet and Airbus launched a Mexican biofuel value chain when they flew Mexico’s first biofuel flight between Mexico City and Chiapas, Mexico. Using an A320, the biofuel was made from locally-sourced Jatropha plant harvested in the southern state of Chiapas.

- In 2010, TAM and Airbus launched the first biofuel value chain in the region when it conducted the first biofuel flight in Latin America. The biofuel used in the A320 that flew around Rio was a 50 percent blend of locally-sourced Brazilian Japtropha-based biofuel and conventional jetfuel.
Airbus is committed to supporting initiatives like those of TAM, Interjet and LAN, and expects other airlines in the region to follow suit.

For more information contact:
Liana Sucar-Hamel
Communications Manager, Airbus Latin America & Caribbean
Liana.Sucar-Hamel@airbus.com