British Airways has announced that it is working with the Solena Group to try to set up the first sustainable jet fuel plant in Europe. The plant, which is likely to be sited in East London, will be used to convert waste that would otherwise have ended up in landfill sites into low-carbon aviation fuel.
British Airways estimates that up to 16 million gallons of low-carbon fuel per year could be produced at the site and is planning to be using the fuel in some of its aircraft by 2014.
In a press release issued by British Airways on 15 February 2010, the airline’s Chief Executive, Willie Walsh, stated:
“This unique partnership with Solena will pave the way for realising our ambitious goal of reducing net carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050. We believe it will lead to the production of a real sustainable alternative to jet kerosene. We are absolutely determined to reduce our impact on climate change and are proud to lead the way on aviation’s environmental initiatives.”
