The aircraft with a capacity of 288 passengers that will fly the Madrid-Washington route will reduce the emission of approximately 42 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere
The first long-haul plane to use a biofuel produced in Spain from waste unfit for consumption takes off. It is an Iberia Airbus A330-200, with a capacity of 288 passengers, which, thanks to this fuel, will cover the Madrid-Washington route that the airline will open this Wednesday. It will not be the only one of the day, as two other flights (Madrid-Dallas and Madrid-San Francisco) will also be promoted in this way, reducing emissions into the atmosphere of 125 tons of CO2 between the three.
The biofuel used is biojet, produced at the Repsol refinery, Petronor, in Bilbao. Already the airline’s most efficient, these aircraft have a maximum take-off capacity of 242 tons and consume 15% less fuel than the fleet they replace because they are more environmentally friendly.
On these flights, Iberia and Repsol are anticipating the measures taken by the European Union that, through the Fit For 55 package, will introduce the obligation of 2% sustainable aviation fuel by 2025, something that the three that implemented this Wednesday already incorporated on the way to the United States .
In the future, companies will operate new flights with a growing percentage of biofuel mix that can reach 50%. This product will be produced in Spain’s first advanced biofuel plant, which is expected to be commissioned in Cartagena in 2023. Also in 2024, Repsol and Iberia plan to work with synthetic SAF (e-fuel) produced at the Petronor plant in Bilbao. In addition, both companies are working on a project to use HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in airport service vehicles.
Repsol’s CEO, Josu Jon Imaz, pointed out during the presentation of these flights that “a sector such as the aviation sector needs solutions such as biofuels for a decarbonization process such as the one we are in.” Imaz believes this project consolidates its position to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and is the first company in the industry to adopt this “ambitious target”. In his opinion, the transition must be made with the “capacities” that exist in our country to “avoid future dependence” by making a commitment to the Spanish industry.
For his part, the President of Iberia, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, noted that these three flights departing this Wednesday “are an example and show that the solution exists”. Between now and 2030 there are major milestones for biofuels in aviation and going forward “this type of flight will be the normal mode of travel,” he said.
In addition, the president of Iberia stressed that “there is a misconception that electrification is sustainability, and that it doesn’t always have to be that way.” In his opinion, a “slightly calmer” debate is needed, although he knows that governments make decisions “by legislatures”, while changes in the aviation sector can take “decades”.
“Aviation faces a very challenging challenge that can only be met by taking steps like these that promote the production of fuels from sustainable sources in sufficient quantity and at competitive prices so that we can make progress in the environmental transition of the aviation sector. ‘ explained Sanchez-Prieto.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
