By Allison Lampert
LAS VEGAS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - At the world's biggest market show in Las Vegas high-end jets are tempting purchasers with their sleek shapes, plush cabins - and progressively, their usage of alternative fuels.
Fuel producers and jetmakers are keen to display novel forms of aviation fuel deemed less damaging to the environment, from utilized cooking oil to the distinctly less glamorous meat waste.
Business jet operators, like airlines, have acquiesced ecological pressure on air travel and committed to cutting in half carbon emissions by 2050 compared to 2005.
Their hope is that adopting renewable fuel to suppress emissions might make organization jets more attractive to ecologically mindful buyers - especially corporations facing concerns over sustainability from investors or green project groups.
The schedule of less contaminating personal jets might likewise spare the rich and popular the negative promotion experienced by Britain's Prince Harry and his better half Meghan over a recent personal jet trip to southern France.
Five Gulfstream jets on screen in Las Vegas are utilizing California-produced fuel from inedible beef tallow.
The most recent waste-based fuels include "fats, grease and oils that are by-products of the food industry," said Bryan Sherbacow, primary commercial officer of Boston-based biofuel manufacturer World Energy, which produces fuel from meat waste used by Gulfstream.
"All of our item is inedible."
Some of the other 79 aircraft on display screen are expected to be powered by 150,000 gallons of other renewable fuel blends expected to be pumped at the show.
FLIGHT SHAMING
Private jets account for less than 0.1% of overall annual carbon emissions worldwide, however can give off, on average, approximately 20 times more carbon emissions per traveler mile than jetliners, according to the London-based private charter company Victor.
Prince Harry has safeguarded his occasional use of personal jets to ensure his household's security, and has actually stated that on the uncommon events he does not fly commercially he offsets his emissions.
But planemakers state events such as the furore over his schedule have included fresh challenges for an industry currently aiming to validate its contribution to cutting corporate costs.
"Incidents of flight shaming involving the usage of private jets are regrettable when you think about that our market has provided fuel efficiency enhancements of 40% over the previous 40 years," stated Bombardier Aviation President David Coleal.
Bombardier believes increased sustainable fuel use will assist the industry make inroads with corporations and wealthy buyers. According to industry information, billionaires only have a 19% company jet ownership rate.
But even an image makeover - with jets sporting stickers like "this aircraft flies on sustainable fuels" and organisers adding alternative fuel pumps for going to planes - is unlikely to please all critics at the Oct 22-24 luxury jet event.
Environmentalists and some analysts stay doubtful that biojetfuels, normally blended 50-50 with kerosene, will make a significant impact on public perceptions about high-end travel.
"No quantity of Jatropha or Brazil-nut fuel can make business jets look eco-friendly," said air travel expert Richard Aboulafia.
Demand from organization jet operators for renewable fuels now far surpasses supply and their interest might drive future production, Sherbacow said.
World Energy, which produces 40 million gallons of biofuel at its California plant, might broaden production up to 150 million gallons by 2022.
companies and specialists are also seeing more interest from clients who desire to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions from their flights.
Brian Proctor, CEO of Mente Group, a U.S. consultancy, said emissions contributed in a corporate jet usage research study his business just recently completed for a Fortune 500 business.
"At the end of the day, I believe that price, cost per hour, range, speed and efficiency, that's still the (sales) motorist. But I think individuals are becoming more mindful of the sustainability of operations and how it affects the world." (Reporting By Allison Lampert, Editing by Tim Hepher and Alexandra Hudson)
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Clean Getaway: Meat Waste Joins Biofuels At Luxury Jet Show
iraalderson02 edited this page 2025-01-12 06:30:04 +08:00