Spain, Iberia, Airbus Launch Bio-Fuel Initiative

The government of Spain signed an agreement with aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Iberia Airline to develop aviation bio-fuel and the means to produce and deliver it to the industry.

The three agreed to develop a complete bio-fuel production chain for Spanish aviation, using sustainable resources from production to consumption in commercial aviation, with special consideration given to economic and technical analysis.

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"The implementation of biofuels by the Spanish aviation industry for the development of a complete Spanish ‘value chain' is a goal that will reduce our dependency on fossil energy, make our companies more competitive by reducing costs associated to CO2 and create value and wealth in other sectors of our national economy," said Spain's Transport Secretary of State Isaías Táboas. "We are fully confident that both the public and private sector can cooperate in the development and implementation of this initiative."

"Climate change is a major challenge for our industry,” Antonio Vazquez, chairman of Iberia Airlines, said. “The aviation sector's ambitious CO2 reduction target is only possible if bio-fuels become a reality. Under this initiative, Iberia brings extensive experience in flight operations and in aircraft maintenance to perform the necessary tests that will make this goal a reality."

"Bio-fuels are a must for aviation to achieve our industry's ambitious CO2 reduction targets,” Tom Enders, Airbus president and CEO, said. “In fact, we believe that bio-fuels should primarily be reserved for aviation as our industry has no other viable alternative energy source."

Phase one of the project will be a feasibility study. In phase two, the participants will select the most promising solutions for a demonstration model. In phase three, scheduled to begin in 2014, the partners will implement and scale up to production process.

The initiative is under the management of Spain’s Air Safety State Agency and the Services & Studies for Air Navigation & Aeronautical Safety/Observatory of Sustainability in Aviation, under the Ministries of the Environment, of Public Works and Industry.

-- Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.