Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways

A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed at the Dubai Air Show to investigate fuel-related benefits of using synthetic jet fuels to power aviation turbine engines. Also on board at the agreement signing were Qatar Petroleum (QP)Qatar Petroleum (QP), ShellShell, AirbusAirbus, Rolls-RoyceRolls-Royce, Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP)Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and Qatar Fuel Company (Woqod)Qatar Fuel Company (Woqod) for an intensive study to be carried out over the next few years.

The move assumes immense significance as Qatar is poised to emerge as the world GTL capital. GTL is seen as the technology of the future and will be environmentally-friendly, helping to significantly reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact on climate change.

During the 'Working Together Agreement' signing ceremony, Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker spoke of how the global spotlight was firmly on the most sensitive issue facing the world -- that of the need to be more environmentally responsible.

"There is a huge movement lobbying for the reduction in carbon emissions to make for a cleaner and safer environment," he said.

"The aviation industry has been at the centre of this highly topical debate. We as industry leaders gathered here at this press conference are committed to this cause and today's move highlights how serious we take this important issue.

"Together with our partners, we will all work in close collaboration to study the use of synthetic jet fuels, or GTL kerosene, in our drive towards a cleaner and safer world. And we at Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways look onward to becoming the first airline in the world to power commercial aircraft with natural gas."

The consortium's research will focus on the benefits of using GTL kerosene, with particular emphasis on improved air quality, fuel economy and reduced carbon emissions in and around airports and at cruising altitude.

Training and research will be carried out at the QSTPQSTP's facilities. QPQP and ShellShell are currently building a multi-billion dollar, fully-integrated GTL complex. GTL kerosene will be an important component of the Pearl GTL project, intended to be marketed as a natural gas-derived synthetic component for jet fuel.

Aircraft fuel currently accounts for as much as 40 per cent of an airline's operating costs. With spiralling jet fuel prices, GTL kerosene is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel burn and improve aircraft operational efficiency.

Al Baker added: "Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways is already a major player in the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) ongoing fuel-saving campaign designed to reduce carbon emissions."

He said Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways runs a department which specifically looks at ways to reduce fuel burn by eliminating unnecessary weight on aircraft, such as potable water, lighter inflight amenities and meal equipment.

Flight trials using gas to liquids fuel would be carried out following the intensive study and a worldwide industry approval of individual equipment manufacturers and regulators.

Al Baker had first hinted at plans to study a switch to the GTL fuel at a press conference in New York late in June this year where he had led a delegation on the inaugural Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways flight to the US, The Peninsula had reported.

© The Peninsula 2007

 

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