Qatar Airways Completes World's First Commercial Passenger Flight Powered by Synthetic Gas to Liquids (GTL) Fuel

Strategic Insights -

Qatar Airways successfully completed a historic commercial passenger flight on October 14, using a 50-50 blend of synthetic Gas to Liquids (GTL) kerosene and conventional oil-based kerosene fuel. The Airbus A340-600 aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines, flew from London Gatwick to Doha in over six hours. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the adoption of GTL technology in commercial aviation, further solidifying Qatar's position as a leader in the production of GTL kerosene.

Key Takeaways:

  • The flight was a result of over two years of scientific work by a consortium consisting of Airbus, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Rolls-Royce, Shell, and WOQOD to explore the benefits of using GTL Jet Fuel in commercial aircraft.
  • The GTL Jet Fuel blend, consisting of up to 50% GTL kerosene, has been fully approved by ASTM International as safe for use in civil aviation.
  • The GTL kerosene production in commercial quantities is expected to start in 2012, with the capacity to produce around one million tonnes per annum through the Pearl GTL project, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Shell.
  • The use of GTL Jet Fuel is expected to contribute to the diversification of aviation fuel supply and reduce emissions, with the blend producing lower sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions than pure conventional oil-based kerosene.
  • Qatar Airways is committed to the environment and sees this alternative fuel as providing benefits, particularly in improving air quality at busy airports.
  • The data from the GTL flight will be used by scientists in Qatar to further quantify the benefits of GTL Jet Fuel use.

Statistics:

  • The Airbus A340-600 aircraft used in the flight was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines.
  • The GTL Jet Fuel blend used in the flight consisted of a 50-50 mix of synthetic GTL kerosene and conventional oil-based kerosene fuel.
  • The flight from London Gatwick to Doha took over six hours.
  • The GTL kerosene production capacity in 2012 is expected to be around one million tonnes per annum.
  • The Pearl GTL project, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Shell, is expected to produce GTL kerosene enough to power a typical commercial airliner for half a billion kilometres when used in a 50% blend to make GTL Jet Fuel.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, October 14, 2007.
  • BERNAMA-OANA, bl 14-10 1849.