Lufthansa A321 Partially Powered by Biofuel to Enter Service Friday
By Kurt Hofmann, ATW Daily News | Jul. 12, 2011
New, lighter transport container to replace 5,000 Lufthansa containers. Photo: Courtesy, Lufthansa.
Lufthansa plans start its scheduled biofuel flights Friday, launching a six-month trial in which an IAE V2500-powered Airbus A321 will operate on the Frankfurt-Hamburg route.
The A321, which will use a 50-50 mix of biofuel and traditional kerosene in one of its engines, is slated to operate eight daily legs between FRA and HAM. LH estimates it will save around 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the six months. LH initially announced the flights last year but had to wait for certification.
The aircraft will be refueled at HAM, where the biofuel is expected to be delivered from Finland's Nestle Oil. Several German media outlets reported that operating the A321 partially powered by biofuel for half a year will cost EUR6.5 million (US$9.26 million), EUR2.5 million of which will be paid by the German government.
Separately, LH said that it will this fall start using new transport containers made of a light plastic material to hold both cargo and luggage on the lower deck of aircraft. "The new containers, up to 15% lighter than their predecessors, are a true benefit for the environment in that kerosene consumption can be lowered by approximately 2,180 tons per year and Lufthansa will save 6,867 tons of CO2 emissions", LH stated. Some 5,000 containers are slated to be replaced.
Lufthansa Cargo and Jettainer, an LH Cargo subsidiary, have carried out onboard testing of the new containers, the airline noted.