KPLU-FM: Bellamy Pailthorp

11:01pm

Tue November 8, 2011
Business

Biofuels Start To Take Off In The Airline Industry

Credit Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images

This week, two U.S. airlines will be flying passengers on flights powered by biofuels for the first time. On Monday a Continental flight from Houston to Chicago used a biofuel blend made in part from algae, and Wednesday Alaska Airlines is set to fly passengers using a fuel made in part from cooking oil.

If all goes well, more airlines may start to use alternative jet fuels. But the shift is not without its challenges.

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