Interjet and Airbus are scheduled to conduct the first Jatropha-based bio-fuel flight in Mexico later on Friday using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The bio-fuel is made from locally sourced Jatropha plant harvested in the southern state of Chiapas. The aim of the demonstration flight and the project is to speed up the commercialisation of aviation bio-fuel in Mexico.

The A320 flight is planned from Mexico City’s International Airport to Angel Albino Corzo of Tuxtla Gutierrez airport in the southern State of Chiapas, with one of the two CFM engines using 30% bio-fuel. The Jatropha bio-fuel has been processed by Honeywell’s UOP.

“The test flight is the realisation of a two year ambition for Interjet to develop a production chain for renewable bio-fuel, with the purpose of creating a Mexican platform for sustainable aviation bio-kerosene,” said Miguel Aleman, Interjet President.

“Airbus, Interjet and the many stakeholders involved in making today’s flight a reality, have taken an important step towards establishing an aviation bio-fuel solution that is both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable,” said Paul Nash, Airbus Head of New Energies.” This flight serves as evidence that our sector is serious about its commitment to achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020, and a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.” 

The project is being supported by Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT), Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA), the State of Chiapas, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), CFM and Airbus to ensure the bio-fuel meets all specification for flight without any changes to the aircraft or engines. CO2 life cycle studies show that Jatropha has the potential to reduce the overall CO2 footprint by up to 80% over standard aviation kerosene.

Airbus has developed a roadmap working towards making alternative fuel and bio-fuel technology a reality for aviation, while exploring all types of sustainable alternative fuels to find sustainable and local bio-fuel solutions for local communities.

Source: Airbus