By Allison Lampert
LAS VEGAS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - At the world's most significant market program in Las Vegas high-end jets are drawing buyers with their streamlined silhouettes, plush cabins - and increasingly, their use of alternative fuels.
Fuel manufacturers and jetmakers are keen to showcase unique forms of aviation fuel deemed less damaging to the environment, from utilized cooking oil to the noticeably less glamorous meat waste.
Business jet operators, like airline companies, have acquiesced ecological pressure on aviation and committed to cutting in half carbon emissions by 2050 compared with 2005.
Their hope is that adopting eco-friendly fuel to curb emissions might make company jets more attractive to environmentally mindful buyers - specifically corporations facing questions over sustainability from shareholders or green campaign groups.
The accessibility of less contaminating private jets might likewise spare the abundant and popular the unfavorable publicity experienced by Britain's Prince Harry and his partner Meghan over a current private jet trip to southern France.
Five Gulfstream jets on display 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," stated Bryan Sherbacow, primary industrial officer of Boston-based biofuel producer 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 anticipated to be powered by 150,000 gallons of other sustainable fuel blends expected to be pumped at the show.
FLIGHT SHAMING
Private jets represent less than 0.1% of overall yearly carbon emissions worldwide, however can release, on average, approximately 20 times more carbon emissions per traveler mile than jetliners, according to the charter firm Victor.
Prince Harry has defended his occasional use of private jets to ensure his household's security, and has actually stated that on the rare events he does not fly commercially he offsets his emissions.
But planemakers say events such as the furore over his itinerary have actually added fresh difficulties for an industry already making every effort to justify its contribution to cutting corporate costs.
"Incidents of flight shaming including making use of personal jets are unfortunate when you think about that our industry has actually delivered fuel effectiveness improvements of 40% over the previous 40 years," said Bombardier Aviation President David Coleal.
Bombardier thinks increased sustainable fuel usage will assist the industry make inroads with corporations and wealthy buyers. According to market information, billionaires just have a 19% company jet ownership rate.
But even an image makeover - with jets sporting sticker labels like "this airplane flies on renewable fuels" and organisers adding alternative fuel pumps for checking out planes - is not likely to please all critics at the Oct 22-24 high-end jet event.
Environmentalists and some experts stay doubtful that biojetfuels, usually blended 50-50 with kerosene, will make a substantial effect on public understandings about luxury travel.
"No amount of jatropha curcas or Brazil-nut fuel can make service jets look eco-friendly," said air travel expert Richard Aboulafia.
Demand from company jet operators for eco-friendly fuels now far goes beyond supply and their interest might drive future production, Sherbacow said.
World Energy, which produces 40 million gallons of biofuel at its California plant, could broaden production up to 150 million gallons by 2022.
Corporate charter business and consultants are likewise seeing more interest from customers who desire to buy carbon credits to offset emissions from their flights.
Brian Proctor, CEO of Mente Group, a U.S. consultancy, said emissions played a role in a business jet utilization study his company recently finished for a Fortune 500 business.
"At the end of the day, I think that price, expense per hour, variety, speed and performance, that's still the (sales) motorist. But I believe individuals are becoming more aware of the sustainability of operations and how it impacts the planet." (Reporting By Allison Lampert, Editing by Tim Hepher and Alexandra Hudson)
1
Clean Getaway: Meat Waste Joins Biofuels At Luxury Jet Show
Callum Kruttschnitt edited this page 2025-01-18 12:59:36 +08:00