JetBlue Airlines says its new A321 airbus passenger airliners are flying with renewable jet fuel blend.
The flights began Sept. 20 as the airline received its latest aircraft from the Airbus USA production plant in Mobile, Alabama.
JetBlue doesn’t provide service into Oklahoma City or Tulsa and its closest connections are in Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado.
The planes fuel consists of 15.5 percent renewable jet fuel blend with traditional jet fuel. The airline explained the Federal Aviation Administration has approved renewable jet fuel safe for use. It’s chemically equivalent to conventional jet-A fuel and poses no difference in performance or safety. To date, thousands of commercial, revenue flights have flown on different types of renewable jet fuel.
“This is another example of JetBlue acknowledging that a sustainable future for aviation will require cooperation between all parts of the industry,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue. “Renewable jet fuel affirms JetBlue’s belief that we can help define our industry’s future path. Our goal is to serve as a market-maker for renewable jet fuel, creating demand and therefore supporting supply. We’re working closely with Airbus to set up infrastructure for more options in the southeast region.”
“Our goal is to source sustainable fuels in the southeastern United States. It is an opportunity to work closely with local stakeholders to scale-up production and the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels in the region,” said Frederic Eychenne, Head of New Energies at Airbus. “We are actively seeking ideas to leverage Airbus’ strategy into opportunities for new economic development in Alabama.”