Airbus has delivered a new A350-900 aircraft to Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific to enable sustainable jet fuel-powered passenger flights.

During the delivery flight, the aircraft used a 10% blend of sustainable jet fuel to fly from Toulouse, France, to Hong Kong.

Since last May, Airbus has delivered 15 aircraft with sustainable jet fuel configuration to Cathay Pacific.

In 2015, Cathay Pacific formulated the biofuel delivery flight concept, which also involves French oil and gas company Total.

The initiative also helps Airbus to realise its commitment to the environment and support toward international aviation's emission reduction goals.

Airbus New Energies head Frederic Eychenne said: “This is a major step for Airbus and a first for the regular delivery of new production aircraft.

“It enables us to demonstrate that aviation biofuels are today a reality. We now target to expand this initiative to all our delivery sites, close to our customers.

“This is a major step for Airbus and a first for the regular delivery of new production aircraft."

“Right from the first day of operation, an airline can clearly demonstrate its aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, thus helping to meet the commitments of the international civil aviation community.”

Airbus is planning to carry out the first delivery of biofuel-powered aircraft from Germany and the US next year.

The company further noted that its A350 XWB aircraft family features a new design and technologies to consume less fuel and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than its predecessors.

In a separate development, Airbus said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to further collaborate in the fields of aviation and aerospace.


Image: Cathay Pacific’s new A350-900 aircraft in the sky. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.