Qantas will conduct a study into the opportunities around developing an Australian sustainable aviation fuel in a move to address carbon pollution in the aviation sector.
The study, due to commence in May in conjunction with Shell Australia, will be supported by a $500,000 government grant.
News of the scientific investigation came as a symbolic Qantas flight took off from Sydney bound for Adelaide using a fuel mixture derived from recycled cooking oil .
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the project would look into what was required in order to produce sustainable aviation biofuel within Australia.
“We are delighted to be operating Australia’s first sustainable aviation fuel flights. Alternatives to conventional jet fuel are vital to the aviation industry meeting ambitious targets for carbon neutral growth and emissions reductions,” Joyce said.
Joyce also cited estimates that predicted up to 12,000 jobs could be generated in the next 20 years through developing sustainable aviation fuel.
Additionally, a Jetstar flight on April 19 will also be powered by the biofuel mix being used by today’s Qantas flight. The fuel type is supplied by SkyNRG and its life cycle carbon footprint is about 60% less than that of conventional jet fuel.
Tourism minister Martin Ferguson said: “The aviation industry is the most rapidly growing mode of transport in Australia and the development of alternative fuels offers energy security, job opportunities and supports efforts to lower Australia’s carbon emissions.”
