Microsoft is investing $50 million in a LanzaJet plant in Georgia, the US, that will produce jet fuel from ethanol next year, LanzaJet said.
The airline industry is considered one of the hardest to decarbonise. Renewable aviation fuel accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of current global jet fuel demand of about 330 million tonnes in 2019, investment bank Jefferies said last year.
Governments and investors are trying to boost incentives to produce lower-carbon-emitting jet fuel.
LanzaJet, based in Chicago, said it has nearly completed on-site engineering at its Freedom Pines Fuels Biorefinery, with plans to start producing 37.8 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel a year from sustainable ethanol, including from waste-based feedstocks, in 2023.
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Passengers flying on Etihad Airways can now pay to bring their cat or dog with them in the cabin, according to the airline’s website. Getty Images -
Pets must stay inside their carriers throughout the flight. Getty Images -
Although there are restrictions on the size and weight of animals allowed on board, the new service was welcome news for pet owners across the country. Getty Images -
In Economy, it costs $150 (Dh550) per pet, per flight, to travel six hours or less. AFP -
Bookings have to be submitted at least 72 hours before travel via an online booking form, with details declared such as the pet’s microchip number, a certified health certificate and a fit-to-travel certificate. Getty Images
Oil majors, airlines and other petroleum trading companies including Suncor Energy, British Airways and Shell are also funding the company.
The White House said last year that it wanted to lower aviation emissions by 20 per cent by 2030, as airlines face pressure from environmental groups to lower their carbon footprint.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has touted tax credits for production of sustainable jet fuel as part of its Build Back Better legislation, which is stalled in Congress.
The EU is aiming to increase the amount of sustainable aviation fuel blended in petroleum jet fuel to 63 per cent by 2050.
Microsoft created the Climate Innovation Fund in 2020 to invest $1 billion over the next four years to speed up the development of carbon removal technology.
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Evgeny Andrachnikov, deputy general director of the Irkut Corporation. The Russian company is showing off its Aurus business jet at the Dubai Airshow. All photos Andrew Scott / The National -
The Aurus features spacious facilities for passengers. -
The pandemic gave a boost to the private jet sector, say industry figures. -
The suspension of commercial flights, due to Covid-19, saw some passengers shift to private jets. -
Spacious dining facilities on-board the Irkut jet. -
More than 1,200 exhibitors from 48 countries are attending the Dubai Airshow. -
The Dubai Airshow is being held on the outskirts of Al Maktoum International Airport. -
The event is running from November 14 to November 18.
