First N American Carrier To Pursue Alternative Fuels
Strategy
Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE
Aviation have told ANN of plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration
flight in the first half of 2009 in an effort to identify
sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation industry. Continental
is the first major U.S. carrier to announce plans to highlight
technological advancements in sustainable biofuels that can help to
further reduce carbon emissions.
"Exploring sustainable biofuels is a logical and exciting new
step in our environmental commitment. For more than a decade, we
have been focused on reducing fuel consumption and carbon
emissions, while providing industry-leading service to the places
our customers want to go," said Mark Moran, Continental Airlines
executive vice president of operations. "Boeing and GE Aviation
have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will benefit
the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are
pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture."
"Continental has been aggressively pursuing efforts to reduce
carbon emissions for years, and continues to focus attention on
providing innovative solutions," said Ray Conner, executive vice
president, sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "They clearly
recognize the need for environmental improvement across the
industry and have embraced that challenge through fleet
modernization and the economic and social benefits that sustainable
environmental technologies can provide to their operations and to
their passengers."
"Continental is taking an important step in advancing the use of
sustainable biofuels in aviation," said Scott Donnelly, president
and CEO of GE Aviation. "Working with our jet engine team at CFM
International, GE has considerable experience in evaluating
biofuels in jet engines for aviation and in aeroderivative engines
for marine and industrial applications. GE and CFM are eager to get
started in supporting Continental's exciting program."
The biofuel flight will use a Boeing Next-Generation 737
equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines. CFM is a 50/50
joint company of General Electric Company and Snecma (SAFRAN
Group). In the months leading up to the flight, Continental, Boeing
and GE will work together and with an undisclosed fuel provider to
identify sustainable fuel sources that don't impact food crops,
water resources or contribute to deforestation, and which can be
produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test
schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine
performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation
fuel performance and safety requirements.
As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry
thought leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are
helping to guide the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels
produced through advanced biomass conversion technologies and
processes that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases
throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels for aviation
incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source
selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace
use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A)
to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Additional details, including
the flight plan, will be announced closer to the demonstration
flight date.
Continental's participation in this project is part of a
company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility. The
airline has achieved a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions and fuel consumption per mainline revenue passenger mile
flown over the past 10 years. This is due in large part to the
efforts of its employees in streamlining operational procedures and
to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270
fuel-efficient aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains
committed to investing in a fuel-efficient fleet and is a launch
customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, powered by GE engines. In
addition to providing passengers with a better flying experience,
the 787 Dreamliner also will provide operators with a more
environmentally efficient jetliner, including lower carbon
emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings.
Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide
emissions from ground equipment at the carrier's largest hub, in
Houston, through switching to electric ground service equipment and
other new technology. This technology is now being tested for use
in cold climates.
Through these investments and other projects, including the
construction of airport facilities in an environmentally
responsible manner, the testing of alternative fuels in ground
service equipment, offering a credible carbon offsetting program
based on the actual fuel burn of the Continental fleet, and an
expansive recycling program, Continental will continue to manage
the environmental impact of its business.