Virgin biofuel flight dismissed as publicity stunt

THE world’s first commercial aircraft to be powered partly by biofuel flew into controversy yesterday as environmental campaigners denounced the inaugural flight as a publicity stunt.

The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 flew from London Heathrow to Amsterdam, with one of the four main tanks carrying 80% standard jet fuel and a 20% mix of coconut and babassu oil.

Virgin Atlantic president Richard Branson said the passenger-less test flight was a “historic” step towards using biofuels on commercial flights, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.