Air Canada, Airbus form biofuels partnership

   Airbus, Air Canada and BioFuelNet Canada have formed a partnership to look into the long-term production of biofuels for Air Canada, with the first assessment due by the end of the year.
   The group is tasked with studying the different biofuels materials and processes, measuring the overall success of each method, and exploring any emerging technologies in the field.
   Air Canada has previously operated two flights fueled by a blend of jet fuel and biomass. The first, which routed from Toronto to Mexico City, occurred in June 2012 and reduced emissions by 40 percent. The Toronto-Mexico City leg was actually part of a larger flight, which started in Montreal and ultimately ended in Sao Paulo, using a total of three carriers and three different types of biofuels. Raymond Benjamin, secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization, took part in the experiment.
   Air Canada’s Paul Whitty said these previous attempts, coupled with the new partnership, are ways the airline is helping push the biofuel conversation forward.
   “We look forward to participating in this project to encourage the development of a source of alternative fuel in Canada,” he said in a statement. “New technologies, such as alternative fuels, are one of the ways our industry plans to reduce its emissions to meet its target of carbon-neutral growth for 2020 and beyond.” – Jon Ross