=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/c/a/2007/04/25/BUGRSPEIGB= 34.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, April 25, 2007 (SF Chronicle) Virgin seeks to reduce its carbon emissions/Airline orders lighter jets fro= m Boeing, plans to test a form of biofuel next year David Armstrong, Chronicle Staff Writer Virgin Atlantic Airways' billionaire owner Richard Branson said Tuesday that his airline will experiment next year with biofuel in one of its jetliners in an attempt to learn how to reduce carbon emissions, and buy at least 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a plane made from light composite materials that Boeing is touting for its fuel efficiency. The biofuel experiment and big Dreamliner purchase are part of Virgin Atlantic's efforts to reduce contributions to global warming, according to Branson. Branson also owns 25 percent of Virgin America, a separate, startup carrier based in Burlingame that hopes to begin flying this summer. In addition to buying Dreamliners, which Boeing says will burn 27 percent less fuel that other comparably sized twin-engine jets, and working to develop a biofuel alternative to jet fuel, Virgin Atlantic has conducted other experiments to reduce carbon emissions. The London airline recently tried having its planes towed to and from the runways at three large international airports. One of the airports where the tests were held was San Francisco International Airport, where a Virgin Atlantic plane was taken around the taxiway in late March by what Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Officer Steve Ridgeway described as a single-engine diesel tug. Ridgeway said in a telephone interview that Boeing and Virgin Atlantic engineers are studying the results of the tests at SFO and London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports to gauge the effect on aircraft and airports when the planes are towed rather than running on their own power. "If you have this tug or tractor, rather than a plane using two, three or even four engines, you can reduce noise dramatically on the ground, and reduce emissions at and near the airport," Ridgeway said. "If it can be made to work, the whole industry can adopt it." The desire to reduce emissions was behind the decision to order Dreamliners, Ridgeway and Branson said. Boeing will begin delivering the new plane next year. Virgin Atlantic has ordered the longer version, the Boeing 787-9, and expects to take possession of the first of its 15 Dreamliners in 2011, Ridgeway said. Virgin Atlantic also took options on eight 787s and purchase rights for = an additional 20 aircraft. Virgin's total package has a list price of $8 billion, though big customers usually negotiate for lower prices. Virgin Atlantic's order is the largest by a European carrier, but Air Canada said Tuesday that it will buy 37 Dreamliners. Boeing says the 787 will use less fuel, largely because it is made with composite plastics and metals and weighs less than standard aluminium-frame airplanes. Also on Tuesday, Virgin Atlantic said it plans to burn a yet-undetermined formulation of biofuel in a jumbo Boeing 747-400 sometime in 2008 in a joint project with sister company Virgin Fuels and engine manufacturer GE Aviation. "It will be a very long time before this type of fuel can replace commercial jet fuel," Ridgeway said, "but we have been trying to push the envelope a bit, to see if it could be possible. We are looking actively at a number of fuels. Perhaps we will use fuel on a blended basis. There is a whole load of work to do." Standard jet fuel is essentially kerosene. Some scientists say emissions of carbon gases from jet fuel burned at the high altitudes used on long-haul flights are more harmful than they are at lower elevations. "Virgin Atlantic is totally focused on delivering a cleaner airline in t= he air and on the ground, and our order today will significantly cut carbon emissions," said Branson, Virgin Atlantic's founder and chairman of its British parent company, Virgin Group. "The 787 Dreamliner symbolizes the environmentally kinder aircraft of the future -- cleaner, quieter, lighter." The long-range midsize 787 has become a key weapon in Boeing's battle wi= th Europe's Airbus, which plans to produce a long-range midsize aircraft called the A350. Airbus has banked much of its future on its superjumbo A380, which will = be the largest commercial jetliner ever built when it goes into service next year. Introduction of the A380 has been delayed by costly and complex production elements, especially its electrical wiring. E-mail David Armstrong at davidarmstrong@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --------------= -------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2007 SF Chronicle <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".