Another aviation milestone was reached using an Airbus jetliner this week when Air Canada performed the first transatlantic flight powered by biofuel using an A330.

This week’s A330 trip from Montreal to London, which carried a number of Canadian athletes for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games, was powered by a 50/50 mix of regular jet fuel and biofuel derived from recycled cooking oil. This blend – along with implementation of more efficient pre-flight, taxi, takeoff and flight techniques – were expected to reduce emissions by 10 per cent.

“Airbus is proud to be part of the world’s first transatlantic biofuel flight using an A330,” said Airbus Vice President of Environmental Affairs Andrea Debbané.  “Like the sports stars on board, we too have goals. More than 90 per cent of Airbus research and technology is directed at setting new records in environmental performance, speeding up sustainable alternative fuel production and keeping the world connected.”

Air Canada also teamed up with Airbus on June 18 for North America’s first-ever “Perfect Flight,” an Airbus initiative which combines a fuel-efficient aircraft with several company-supported eco-friendly programs for greener air travel. This A319 flight from Toronto to Mexico City used a biofuel mixture and the most direct travel route, while implementing modern air traffic management and aircraft descent technologies – with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40 per cent.

Airbus press release