page_title: Aviation biofuel
hierarchical_section_title: Aviation biofuel
caption_attribution_description: English: CHINA LAKE, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2011) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 conducts the first test flight of a mix of 50-50 jet fuel and biofuel. The test was conducted over Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
context_page_description: Aviation biofuel is a biofuel used for aircraft. It is considered by some to be the primary means by which the aviation industry can reduce its carbon footprint. After a multi-year technical review from aircraft makers, engine manufacturers and oil companies, biofuels were approved for commercial use in July 2011. Since then, some airlines have experimented with using biofuels on commercial flights. The focus of the industry has now turned to second generation sustainable biofuels that do not compete with food supplies nor are major consumers of prime agricultural land or fresh water. NASA has determined that 50% aviation biofuel mixture can cut air pollution caused by air traffic by 50–70%.
  The sustainable aviation fuels certification and production pace seems insufficient to meet the International Air Transport Association target of halving the CO₂ emissions by 2050.
  The first flight using blended biofuel took place in 2008. Since then, more than 150,000 flights have used biofuels. Only five airports have regular biofuel distribution today, with others offering occasional supply.
context_section_description: Aviation biofuel is a biofuel used for aircraft. It is considered by some to be the primary means by which the aviation industry can reduce its carbon footprint.  After a multi-year technical review from aircraft makers, engine manufacturers and oil companies, biofuels were approved for commercial use in July 2011. Since then, some airlines have experimented with using biofuels on commercial flights. The focus of the industry has now turned to second generation sustainable biofuels (sustainable aviation fuels) that do not compete with food supplies nor are major consumers of prime agricultural land or fresh water.  NASA has determined that 50% aviation biofuel mixture can cut air pollution caused by air traffic by 50–70%.
  The sustainable aviation fuels certification and production pace seems insufficient to meet the International Air Transport Association target of halving the CO₂ emissions by 2050.
  The first flight using blended biofuel took place in 2008. Since then, more than 150,000 flights have used biofuels. Only five airports have regular biofuel distribution today (Bergen, Brisbane, Los Angeles, Oslo and Stockholm), with others offering occasional supply. Trials of using algae as biofuel were carried out by Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic as early as 2008, although there is little evidence that using algae is a reasonable source for jet biofuels. By 2015, cultivation of fatty acid methyl esters and alkenones from the algae, Isochrysis, was under research as a possible jet biofuel feedstock.
  As of 2017, there was little progress in producing jet fuel from algae, with a forecast that only 3 to 5% of fuel needs could be provided from algae by 2050. Further, algae companies that formed in the early 21st century as a base for an algae biofuel industry have either closed or changed their business development toward other commodities, such as cosmetics, animal feed, or specialty oil products.
caption: United States Marine Corps McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II test flight using a 50–50 biofuel blend in 2011.
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