Commercial airline first to use biofuels - cheaper flights on the horizon?

Next Friday, Lufthansa will become the first passenger airline to start feeding some of its planes with biofuel. The German-based airline is set to fill its 11:15 a.m. Hamburg to Frankfurt flight with partial biofuels next Friday.

Airline companies have been pushing to use biofuels in their planes for decades, and they have finally been given the go-ahead to use fuel derived from everything from algae to wood chips after rounds of testing proved the planes would fly on alternative fueling.

This push towards using biofuels, especially ones that won't dry up other resources such as corn, presents an opportunity for airline companies to avoid the carbon taxes associated with regular fuel. If the airline companies can avoid paying the carbon tax and subsequently passing that cost on to customers, it could potentially mean a future on the horizon of lower, more competitive airfare prices.

If other commercial airlines follow suit, particularly the larger carriers such as KLM and Delta, fueling planes from organic waste would mean a greener, and hopefully cheaper way to fly. Airbus estimates that by 2030 biofuels could make up to 30% of the market for aviation fuel.

As Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport remains one of the busiest in the country, a mix of biofuel could be used in some of its flights. "The key to budget travel is to plan in front. When it happens to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new destinations we have never been before, the truth of expense and budgeting is always in the back of our thoughts. Planning and spending our travel budget correctly is a concern for most families. Reducing spending and fees, while still taking pleasure in your vacation to its fullest, is the key to guaranteed achievements and fiscal liability. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thought behind protecting money while vacationing is simple: Even if your personal budget is incredibly limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also thinking about that while traveling, regardless of whether on a funds or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a big vacation or travel bill!..". The question will be whether airlines will be quick to pick up on the alternative fueling, and if we will see any difference in price for those flights. After all, wouldn't we all love to go green and save some in the process?

Until then, we can only hold out hope for cheaper airfare on flights still running on inorganic fuel.

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