GOL joins International Biofuel Development Group
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes has joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), which brings together airlines and technology providers in a joint drive to accelerate the development of new, sustainable aviation fuels for commercial use.
Initially, the group is working on two preliminary sustainability research projects, one of which involves a comprehensive investigation into Jatropha curcas, as a sustainable fuel source, including its life cycle, CO2 emissions and the potential social or economic impact on growers in developing countries.
The second project is taking an in-depth look at algae and the associated fuel production processes, to ensure they are in line with strict sustainability guidelines. Both Jatropha curcas and algae have the potential to become viable biomass aviation fuel sources. The group plans additional studies on other possible fuel sources in the future.
In addition to actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, GOLis now also investing in reducing its future fuel costs.
"This is a major opportunity for GOL to join a select group of aviation companies actively involved in controlling their own future, particularly around fuel and the entire fuel production process, including origin, sustainability and environmental impact", says GOL's technical vice-president, Fernando Rockert de Magalhães.
Other global airline partners supporting sustainable fuels are Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
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