Industry leader becomes first N. American carrier to pursue alternative
fuels strategy
Demonstration in 2009 marks the continued evolution toward
low-carbon-lifecycle fuels
HOUSTON, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE:
CAL), Boeing (NYSE: BA) and GE Aviation (NYSE: GE) today announced plans to
conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009 in an
effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation industry.
Continental is the first major U.S. carrier to announce plans to highlight
technological advancements in sustainable biofuels that can help to further
reduce carbon emissions.
"Exploring sustainable biofuels is a logical and exciting new step in
our environmental commitment. For more than a decade, we have been focused
on reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, while providing
industry-leading service to the places our customers want to go," said Mark
Moran, Continental Airlines executive vice president of operations. "Boeing
and GE Aviation have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will
benefit the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are
pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture."
"Continental has been aggressively pursuing efforts to reduce carbon
emissions for years, and continues to focus attention on providing
innovative solutions," said Ray Conner, executive vice president, sales,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "They clearly recognize the need for
environmental improvement across the industry and have embraced that
challenge through fleet modernization and the economic and social benefits
that sustainable environmental technologies can provide to their operations
and to their passengers."
"Continental is taking an important step in advancing the use of
sustainable biofuels in aviation," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO
of GE Aviation. "Working with our jet engine team at CFM International, GE
has considerable experience in evaluating biofuels in jet engines for
aviation and in aeroderivative engines for marine and industrial
applications. GE and CFM are eager to get started in supporting
Continental's exciting program."
The biofuel flight will use a Boeing Next-Generation 737 equipped with
CFM International CFM56-7B engines. CFM is a 50/50 joint company of General
Electric Company and Snecma (SAFRAN Group). In the months leading up to the
flight, Continental, Boeing and GE will work together and with an
undisclosed fuel provider to identify sustainable fuel sources that don't
impact food crops, water resources or contribute to deforestation, and
which can be produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test
schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance
testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and
safety requirements.
As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry thought
leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are helping to guide
the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels produced through advanced
biomass conversion technologies and processes that have the potential to
reduce greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels
for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel
source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace
use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A) to
reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Additional details, including the flight
plan, will be announced closer to the demonstration flight date.
Continental's participation in this project is part of a company-wide
commitment to environmental responsibility. The airline has achieved a 35
percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption per
mainline revenue passenger mile flown over the past 10 years. This is due
in large part to the efforts of its employees in streamlining operational
procedures and to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270
fuel-efficient aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains
committed to investing in a fuel-efficient fleet and is a launch customer
for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, powered by GE engines. In addition to
providing passengers with a better flying experience, the 787 Dreamliner
also will provide operators with a more environmentally efficient jetliner,
including lower carbon emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings.
Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions
from ground equipment at the carrier's largest hub, in Houston, through
switching to electric ground service equipment and other new technology.
This technology is now being tested for use in cold climates.
Through these investments and other projects, including the
construction of airport facilities in an environmentally responsible
manner, the testing of alternative fuels in ground service equipment,
offering a credible carbon offsetting program based on the actual fuel burn
of the Continental fleet, and an expansive recycling program, Continental
will continue to manage the environmental impact of its business.
SOURCE Continental Airlines; Boeing; GE Aviation
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Related links:
http://www.continental.com
http://www.continental.com/company/news
CONTACT:
Continental Airlines Corporate
Communications, +1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com; or Terrance
Scott of Boeing Environmental Communications [Seattle],
+1-206-766-2949, terrance.scott@boeing.com; or Rick Kennedy of GE
Aviation, +1-513-607-0609 or +1-513-243-3372,
rick.l.kennedy@ge.com
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