I’m leaving on a (Biofuel) Jet Plane
In July of 2008, American consumers coined a new phrase at the height of the summer vacation season: staycation. American’s opted to stay at home instead of travelling due to astronomical oil prices. High oil prices drove prices at the pump to dizzying highs and, in response to record fuel prices, airline fares skyrocketed where checked baggage fees and fuel surcharges became the primary (and unpopular) strategy of airlines to offset fuel costs.
July certainly wasn’t the first time oil prices gravely affected the airline industry’s ability to operate cost effectively, but, due to the industry’s dependence on oil, little could be done to reduce oil costs other than tacking-on vexing fees to ticket prices. Recently, however, airlines have begun experimenting with a new, green fuel source—biofuel. In fact, this week, Continental Airlines successfully flew a Boeing 737 fueled by a mix of Kerosene and blend of fuel derived from algae and the weed jatropha. Both of these biofuels are unique as they do not contribute to deforestation nor compete with food production—like ethanol.
While the airlines experimentation with biofuels is certainly in its infancy, it’s great to see a large, fossil fuel dependent industry exploring innovative, sustainable and green fuels. In the next few years, as the world decreases its dependence on fossil fuels, a jatropha and algae fueled jet will be the norm raising the question—are passengers ready to travel on a jet powered by a new, unconventional fuel source?
To learn more about experimental biofuel jet flights, check out this article from the Los Angeles Times.
