First commercial biofuels flight from Sweden

Biofuels-powered flights have begun from Sweden, operated by BMI between Karlstad and Frankfurt and by Nextjet between Karlstad and Stockholm.

And Karlstad Airport has become the first airport in Europe to install a fixed storage tank facility for aviation biofuel. The facility officially opened on 26 June, and the first regular commercial flight in Sweden to be made using aviation biofuel flew from Karlstad on the same day. From the start of 2015, all aircraft departing from KarlstadAirport can be filled with the eco-friendly fuel.

“BMI is very proud to be part of the first scheduled flight from Sweden flown on biofuel. Together with our partners at KarlstadAirport and Statoil, we intend to fly even more frequently on sustainable jet fuel. Indeed, we hope that this Karlstad biofuel program will act as the blueprint for new sustainable jet fuel routes across Europe” said British Midland Regional board director Ian Woodley.

Climate compensation fund

Aviation biofuel is 3-4 times more expensive than normal aviation fuel, and this extra cost is currently preventing airlines acting in a more eco-friendly way. To solve this problem, SkyNRG, a Dutch pioneer in aviation biofuel, has teamed up with Statoil Fuel & Retail to establish a climate compensation fund. The fund will initially cover the difference between the cost of normal aviation fuel and biofuel. In the longer term, the fund will also support research. Businesses, the public sector and private individuals can make contributions.

Region V?rmland (organisation for regional development and growth) and Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) are also providing financial support for the strategic parts of the project.

“We are very pleased to be taking this initiative together with Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation. Karlstad has the potential to be a major producer and a pioneer in the use of sustainable fuel,” says Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO of SkyNRG.

Supplies of aviation biofuel

The Karlstad region in Sweden is home to world-leading competence in pulp and paper technology. Over 100 companies in this sector collaborate in a cluster called the PaperProvince.

“We have seen that there are opportunities to exploit the resources of the forest more effectively by better use of waste products, including the production of aviation biofuel, “ says Maria Hollander CEO of the PaperProvince.

National and international focus on Karlstad

“IATA is excited by Karlstad Airport offering a regular biofuel supply to all departing aircraft. This is a big step forward – so far biofuel has only been supplied to specific flights from individual airlines. The area around Karlstad Airport has a high potential for sustainable biojet production from locally available feedstock such as forestry residues and waste streams, says Thomas Roetger, assistant director, Aviation Environment – Technology, International Air Transport Association.

Source: http://www.tandlnews.com.au/