Virgin to test 747 on biofuel

A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 is to fly using biofuel on a demonstration flight next month.

Virgin claims it will be the first time that a commercial aircraft has run biofuel in-flight and is part of an initiative by airlines and manufacturer Boeing to discover sources of sustainable aircraft fuel for the future.

The 747 will fly from Heathrow to Amsterdam with no passengers on board, using a "truly sustainable" type of biofuel that doe not compete with food and fresh water resources, according to the arline.

The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of a drive to reduce the airline's environmental impact.

President Sir Richard Branson said: "This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected.

"The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.

"Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals."