GENEVA (AFP)--The international airline industry body IATA is
aiming to approve biofuels for commercial flights by 2010 or 2011,
its chief Giovanni Bisignani said Tuesday.
Bisignani told a civil aviation industry meeting that recent
tests by Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL), Japan Airline Corp.
(9205.TO), Air New Zealand Ltd. (AIR.NZ) and Virgin had shown that
"next generation sustainable" clean burning biofuels worked.
"We have made amazing progress, certification by 2010 or 2011 is
now a real possibility," Bisignani said.
However, such biofuels would still need to be produced in
commercially viable quantities with common quality standards, and
suppliers worldwide would also need to be equipped for storage.
"Commercial production should be a priority for governments
encouraged by effective incentives in tax and regulatory
frameworks," Bisignani told the Aviation and Environment
Summit.
Biofuels are controversial as critics say widespread production
could affect foodcrops and exacerbate global shortages.
Bisignani said a drop in air traffic was likely to account for
the bulk of cuts in carbon emissions from civil aviation in
2009.
Of the 7.8% reduction forecast this year, 6% is expected to be
from reduced traffic due to the economic crisis.