SpiceJet to test India’s first biofuel-powered flight tomorrow

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet is all set to test India’s first biofuel-powered flight on August 27 as it is planning to cut its aviation fuel bill. SpiceJet is planning to operate a turboprop Q-400 from Dehradun to Delhi using this sustainable alternative fuel. If the test passes off successfully, the aircraft — powered by a mix of conventional air turbine fuel and biofuel — will operate a flight to Delhi.

The biofuel for the flight has been developed by Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun. The made-in-India alternative fuel has acquired all statutory clearances, including those from designated testing labs and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The flight is going to be a demonstration one, with no passengers except the airline executives and DGCA officials.

Australian airline Qantas flew Dreamliner Boeing 787-9 between Los Angeles and Melbourne powered partly by biofuel earlier this year. The 15-hour flight used a blended fuel that was derived from 10 per cent industrial type of mustard seed. In 2011, Alaska Airlines operated world’s first biofuel-powered flight, using the fuel made of 50 per cent used cooking oil.