Other News - 12/08/2008

Continental Airlines yesterday announced plans for a biofuel demonstration flight on Jan. 7 in conjunction with Boeing, CFM International and Honeywell, the first of its kind by a US airline. A 737-800 carrying no passengers "will be powered by a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and jatropha plants," CO said, calling the fuel sources "sustainable, second-generation. . .that don't impact food crops or water resources, and don't contribute to deforestation." Sapphire Energy will provide the algae-based fuel and Terrasol will supply the jatropha-derived fuel. The fuel used in one of the 737's two CFM56-7B engines will be a blend of 50% traditional jet fuel and 50% biofuel.

"This flight represents another step in Continental's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry," Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner said. CO said that it has worked with Boeing, Honeywell refining technology developer UOP and CFM for more than nine months on the research, production and testing of the biofuel, including laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing.