Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand to use Cooking Oil as Jet Fuel

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have come together to increase local biofuel production in their countries. They propose to use the biofuel as jet fuel.
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand are teaming up to explore how eco-conscious biofuel can be used to power planes.
The trans-Tasman partners are requesting  information from  biofuel producers in Oceania to determine whether it will be feasible to source aviation biofuel from their own continent in the future. It is hoped this will also stimulate the emerging industry across the two countries, providing a growth in sustainable local biofuel production. Captain David Morgan, Air New Zealand's chief flight operations and safety officer, said: "By working in partnership with our alliance partner Virgin Australia we hope we can stimulate the local market, drive innovation and investment and potentially uncover a sustainable biofuel supply suitable for our respective operations.”

What is Biofuel?

Biofuel is produced through a biological process, like the breakdown of biodegradable material by microorganisms, rather than a geological one, like mining and burning coal.
It has a number of benefits for the aviation industry; environmental, economic and social.
Robert Wood, Virgin Australia's head of sustainability said: “Aviation biofuel offers a significant opportunity for the aviation industry to reduce emissions whilst also building long-term fuel security for the sector.”
Biofuel is already used in flights for many airlines around the world; refined from used cooking oil and plant oils. There are barriers to its success, including its efficiency, cost and the need to have a biofuel refinery close to major airports.
Airlines who wish to use biofuels, in Australia and New Zealand, currently do not have big biofuel companies in their country and have to import from places like Europe.
Mr Wood explained that Australian biofuel producers needed to compete on a global level.
He said: "We are seeing the development of the aviation biofuel industry accelerate internationally but that is not yet the case for our region.”
He is confident that given the backing of two high-profile companies that  the industry will be seen as a safer investment for others, helping to create more high-tech jobs in the region.