Continental, Boeing and GE Aviation to Demonstrate Use of Biofuel

Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation plan to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009 in an effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for aviation use.

Mark Moran, Continental Airlines' executive vice president of operations called the exploration of stainable biofuels "a logical and exciting new step" in reducing carbon emissions through reduced fuel consumption.

"Boeing and GE Aviation have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will benefit the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture," Mr. Moran said.

A B-737NG (next generation) equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines will be used for the flight.  In the meantime, the Continental, Boeing and GE team say they will work with an undisclosed fuel provider to identify fuel sources that don't impact food crops, water resources or contribute to deforestation, and which can be produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing.  03-15-2008.

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