Air Canada operates trans-Atlantic biofuel flight

Air Canada and Airbus have performed a trans-Atlantic flight partially powered by biofuel.

The Airbus A330, which flew from Montreal to London last week carrying a number of Canadian athletes to the Olympics, was powered by a 50-50 mix of regular jet fuel and biofuel derived from recycled cooking oil. This fuel, along with implementation of more efficient pre-flight, taxi, takeoff and flight techniques, reduced total emissions by approximately 10%. 

“Airbus is proud to be part of the world’s first trans-Atlantic biofuel flight using an A330,” said the European planemaker’s Vice President of Environmental Affairs, Andrea Debbané. “Like the sports stars onboard, we too have goals. More than 90% of Airbus research and technology is directed at setting new records in environmental performance, speeding up sustainable alternative fuel production and keeping the world connected.”

Air Canada also teamed up with Airbus in June, operating a biofuel flight from Toronto to Mexico City.