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Air New Zealand Announces Bio Fuel Initiative |
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 El Segundo, Calif. – Air New Zealand will play an industry-leading role in developing more eco-friendly fuel for commercial aircraft. The airline has announced a joint research venture with Boeing and Rolls-Royce on a series of projects aimed at making commercial aviation more environmentally sustainable.
The inaugural step in the relationship will be the first commercial trial of a bio-fuelled, Rolls-Royce-powered Boeing aircraft. One engine of the Boeing 747 will run on a blended bio fuel/kerosene mix, and the remaining three will be powered by regular jet fuel. The flight, which will depart Auckland in late 2008 or early 2009, will not carry customers and will be conducted under strict safety standards.
“Our ultimate goal is operate the most environmentally responsible airline and to lead the global aviation industry in developing the most eco-friendly practices possible,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe. “Working with like-minded partners and the New Zealand government to plan the first bio-fuelled flight will be an inspiring journey for us all.”
As recently as a year ago, many airline industry observers were not viewing alternative fuels as a viable option in the near future, said Fyfe. He added that with worldwide attention now focused on environmental initiatives, technological advances are occurring so fast that initiatives like Air New Zealand’s bio fuel initiative are now possible in the short-term.
The bio fuel research initiative is just the latest in a string of announcements from Air New Zealand about the airline’s plans for earth-friendly practices. Last month the airline announced purchase plans for four extended-range (ER) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. When the 777’s are added to Air New Zealand’s fleet with eight ordered Boeing 787-9’s over the next five years, the airline will have one of the youngest, most technologically advanced, most fuel efficient and most environmentally-friendly long haul fleets in the world.
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline, including non-stop flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and starting November 2, Vancouver to New Zealand, as well as Los Angeles non-stop to Fiji, the Cook Islands and Samoa. Other popular destinations include Australia, China, Japan and Tonga. In addition to flying non-stop Los Angeles-London, Air New Zealand’s newest route, between London and Hong Kong, now allows customers to fly round-the-world on one airline. Consistently rated among the world’s best international airlines, Air New Zealand’s most recent accolades include recognition by the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Business Traveler Magazine. United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada’s Aeroplan members earn and redeem mileage on select flights. Flight and vacation essentials can be booked on AirNewZealand.ca. Flight and vacation bookings can also be made by calling 1-800-262-1234 in the USA and 1-800-663-5494 in Canada.
CONTACTS:
Ian Jeffries
Cohn & Wolfe
(310) 967-2957
ian_jeffries@cohnwolfe.com
Karen Laugesen
Air New Zealand
(310) 648-7039
karen.laugesen@airnz.com
In Canada:
Heather Kirk or Laura Serena
Immedia PR
604 408 6511
service@immediapr.com
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Anonymous
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| Posted on
Oct 02, 2007; updated Oct 05, 2007 |
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