As the carbon footprint associated with air travel steadily grows, Lufthansa’s Biofuel Plane is not only gaining currency as an economic alternative, but drawing the attention of regular travelers.
Starting July 15th, Lufthansa will become the first airline to use biofuels on a regularly scheduled route; with 8 daily flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg. The biofuel, provided by Finnish company Neste Oil, is comprised of mostly vegetable oils and has been stockpiled to cover voyages for the next six months.
The decision to fuel their planes with renewable energy sources means that Lufthansa flights will emit 20-30% fewer greenhouse gases. Although these bio-fueled aircrafts currently only service German flight routes, the company hopes to expand the project and dole out the benefits of biomass energy to everyone.
Public pressure has mounted in recent years against the automotive and airline industry, with civil society groups demanding they clean up their act, figuratively and literally. Although Virgin Airlines has previously attempted to roll out biofuel planes, it seems as though Lufthansa will be responsible for encouraging this paradigm shift in aviation.
Green Globetrotting
The New Lufthansa Biofuel Plane Makes Aviation History
Trend Themes
1. Biofuel Adoption in Aviation - The Lufthansa biofuel plane sets a trend for the adoption of biofuels in the aviation industry, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities for companies involved in renewable energy production and aviation fuel manufacturing.
2. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions - The use of biofuels by Lufthansa shows a trend of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the airline industry, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities for carbon capture and renewable energy technologies.
3. Renewable Energy in Transportation - The Lufthansa biofuel plane exemplifies a trend towards using renewable energy sources in transportation, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicle technologies.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy Production - The adoption of biofuels in the aviation industry opens opportunities for renewable energy production companies to supply sustainable fuels to airlines.
2. Aviation Fuel Manufacturing - The use of biofuels by Lufthansa highlights the need for aviation fuel manufacturers to develop and produce environmentally friendly fuels.
3. Carbon Capture Technology - The trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the airline industry creates opportunities for companies involved in carbon capture technology to help airlines achieve carbon neutrality.