Virgin Australia Launches Biodiesel Trial for Ground Equipment

Good news for green travelers: Virgin Australia has launched a trial of environmentally friendly biodiesel in its ground service equipment.

The initial trial involves using a biodiesel blend derived from locally sourced tallow and used cooking oil (split 20:80 conventional petrodiesel) in a baggage tug and a push-back vehicle at Brisbane Domestic Airport over an eight-week period.

The biodiesel used in the trial is produced by Ecotech Biodiesel at a local facility in Narangba in Queensland and provides a range of environmental benefits including reduced carbon and soot emissions. Refuelling Solutions, another Australian company, is providing logistical support and storage for the trial.

Virgin Australia Group Executive of Operations Sean Donohue said the biodiesel trial supports the airline’s renewable jet fuel strategy to encourage the development of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel sourced from the region. The strategy complements the airline's renewable fuel strategy to procure a sustainable, reliable, and economic supply of aviation fuel to meet the airline’s target of 5 percent renewable fuel use by 2020.