Iberia launches biofuel-operated Spain’s first commercial flight

Iberia recently became a pioneer in “Green Flight” program when it launched first commercial flight in Spain powered by biofuel. The initiative by the airline is aimed at advancing and propagating the use of biofuels in the aviation sector in the country.

The airline used nearly 2,800 kg of a mixture of 75% conventional A-1 jet fuel as well as 25% biofuel extracted from camelina sativa plant to operate flights to Barcelona from Madrid utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline reported a significant reduction of about 1,500 kg of carbon emissions with the use of the mixture. The mixture used to operate the maiden biofuel-operated commercial flight is prepared by ASA of synthesized paraffin bio-kerosene, and is highly effective in reducing nearly 20% emissions of greenhouse gases.

The second-generation biofuel is extracted out of Camelina sativa, an inedible oil plant grown widely and cultivated in Spain. The main characteristic of Camelina sativa is that it enriches the soil in which it is cultivated. The other plants used for biofuels do not have such characteristic as found in Camelina sativa.

With the launch of commercial flights on biofuels, Iberia has demonstrated its resolve to combat climate change. Antonio Vázquez, Chairman of Iberia, said that Iberia is proud to operate biofuels-operated flights and is for the past three years been acknowledged as among the world’s most environmentally sustainable airlines.

Besides commercial flights, Iberia also operates flights to several destinations across the world. Iberia recently announced that it will start operating direct flights to Manchester and Glasgow during the upcoming winter season beginning in late October. The daily flights to Manchester will start from October 30, 2011, while the flights to Glasgow will start from November 1, 2011 twice weekly.