The Top 10 Australian Bioeconomy stories of 2016

#2: Air New Zealand, Virgin in joint procurement effort for aviation biofuels

In March, we reported that Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia announced a partnership to investigate options for locally produced aviation biofuel. The trans-Tasman alliance partners are issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to the market to explore the opportunity to procure locally-produced aviation biofuel.

Virgin and Air New Zealand offered an industry inquiry for companies that could locally produce and supply up to 200 million liters of biojet fuel per year.

“Virgin is very serious about this and if it’s successful, it could lead to significant investment in Australia, which means new opportunity for agricultural industry, investment and jobs,” former Environment minister Martin Ferguson told The Weekend Australian on June 25, 2016. He said this could be an especially good thing for regions that were struggling following the end of the resources boom.

Both airlines are committed to ensuring that aviation biofuel delivers environmental, social and economic benefits, and respondents to the RFI are encouraged to address these principles. Interested parties have until 30 May 2016 to express their interest.