The biofuel, supplied by China's biggest oil refiner Sinopec, comprised around 50% waste cooking oil from Chinese restaurants and 50% traditional jet fuel. Both engines of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which flew on March 21 between Shanghai and Beijing, carried the fuel blend.
Sinopec was last year was awarded a licence by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, allowing the use of its jet biofuels in commercial flights. On the same day another flight was due to take place by Cathay Pacific subsidiary Dragonair, between Shanghai and Hong Kong, using the same batch of fuel, but this did not go ahead because of certification issues with the fuel.
Hainan's Vice President Pu Ming, who piloted the aircraft, said: "We are honoured to see our aeroplane fly on sustainable aviation biofuel from Shanghai to our nation's capital. As a fast-growing domestic and international carrier, Hainan Airlines is demonstrating our environmental commitment by showing that aviation biofuel can play a safe and effective rôle in China's air transport system."
