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Airline in first biofuel flight Airline in first biofuel flight
(40 minutes later)
The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel has taken off from Heathrow airport.The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel has taken off from Heathrow airport.
Billed as a green fuel breakthrough, the Virgin Atlantic flight to Amsterdam does not have any passengers on board. Billed by Virgin Atlantic as a green fuel breakthrough, the firm's flight to Amsterdam has no passengers on board.
Earlier this month, Airbus used the world's largest passenger jet, the A380 to flight test another alternative fuel - a synthetic mix of gas-to-liquid.Earlier this month, Airbus used the world's largest passenger jet, the A380 to flight test another alternative fuel - a synthetic mix of gas-to-liquid.
Many environmentalists argue that cultivating biofuel is not sustainable and will lead to reduced land for food.Many environmentalists argue that cultivating biofuel is not sustainable and will lead to reduced land for food.
Virgin's Boeing 747 has one of its four engines connected to an independent biofuel tank that will provide 20% of the engine's power.Virgin's Boeing 747 has one of its four engines connected to an independent biofuel tank that will provide 20% of the engine's power.
It's not necessarily going to be the silver bullet for the long term future but it will prove that a fuel like this can fly at 30,000 feet Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic president It's not necessarily going to be the silver bullet for the long-term future but it will prove that a fuel like this can fly at 30,000 feet Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic president class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7259004.stm">Solution for future flight?
This reduces risk to the flight because there are three other engines which can power the plane entirely on conventional fuel if there is a problem.This reduces risk to the flight because there are three other engines which can power the plane entirely on conventional fuel if there is a problem.
The three-hour Airbus flight from Filton near Bristol to Toulouse on 1 February was part of an ongoing research programme.The three-hour Airbus flight from Filton near Bristol to Toulouse on 1 February was part of an ongoing research programme.
'Gimmick''Gimmick'
Virgin's flight used a biofuel derived from a mixture of babassu nuts and coconuts.Virgin's flight used a biofuel derived from a mixture of babassu nuts and coconuts.
The company said the babassu tree, native to Brazil, and the coconuts do not compete with staple food sources and come from existing mature plantations.The company said the babassu tree, native to Brazil, and the coconuts do not compete with staple food sources and come from existing mature plantations.
Both products are commonly used in cosmetics and household paper and soap products. Both products are commonly used in cosmetics and household paper products.
One problem with flying planes using biofuel is that it is more likely to freeze at high altitude.One problem with flying planes using biofuel is that it is more likely to freeze at high altitude.
The technology is still being manufactured by companies GE and Boeing, but Virgin believes within 10 years airlines could routinely be flying on plant power.The technology is still being manufactured by companies GE and Boeing, but Virgin believes within 10 years airlines could routinely be flying on plant power.
Kenneth Richter, of Friends of the Earth, said the flight was a "gimmick", distracting from real solutions to climate change.Kenneth Richter, of Friends of the Earth, said the flight was a "gimmick", distracting from real solutions to climate change.
BIOFUELS They are any fuels made from living thingsCommonly means fuel made from crops including cornPioneers such as Henry Ford designed cars to run on biofuels Quick guide: BiofuelsBIOFUELS They are any fuels made from living thingsCommonly means fuel made from crops including cornPioneers such as Henry Ford designed cars to run on biofuels Quick guide: Biofuels
"If you look at the latest scientific research it clearly shows biofuels do very little to reduce emissions. At the same time we are very concerned about the impact of the large scale increase in biofuel production on the environment and food prices worldwide," he said."If you look at the latest scientific research it clearly shows biofuels do very little to reduce emissions. At the same time we are very concerned about the impact of the large scale increase in biofuel production on the environment and food prices worldwide," he said.
"What we need to do is stop this mad expansion of aviation at the moment it is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in the UK and we need to stop subsidising the industry.""What we need to do is stop this mad expansion of aviation at the moment it is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in the UK and we need to stop subsidising the industry."
But Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson told BBC News 24 that using technology to develop greener fuel options will lower emissions and allow for other global warming issues to be tackled. But Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson said the flight was an early step towards greener aviation.
"It's not necessarily going to be the silver bullet for the long term future but it will prove that a fuel like this can fly at 30,000 feet," he said of the move which challenges the convention that biofuels freeze above 15,000 feet. "This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our aircraft in the years ahead through sustainable next-generation oils, such as algae."