Aeromexico, Boeing, and the Mexican Government proudly announce their participation in a historic achievement in global aviation: the first transcontinental flight, powered by a General Electric engine, in a commercial airplane powered by bio-combustible fuel.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) along with the Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA), in coordination with Aeromexico and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, launch this unprecedented flight today; which will fly over 250 passengers from Mexico City to Madrid.

The flight will use a blend of 70 percent traditional fuel and 30 percent biofuel, which will be provided by ASA. This is composed of a mixture of petroleum-derived jet fuel and oil obtained from Jatropha Curcas oilseed plant, which is grown in several regions of the world including Mexico.

Aeromexico, as a member of SkyTeam and Sustainable Aviation Fuels Users Group (SAFUG), demonstrates its commitment to promoting the development of sustainable, alternative low-carbon fuels as part of the ecological initiatives

It is important to point out that despite the fact that this fuel is currently priced at a premium, starting with this flight Aeromexico will implement a program over the next year with Boeing 737-700 equipment powered by CFM56-7B22 engines, in coordination with ASA, of commercial flights using biofuel to destinations such as San Jose, Costa Rica.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes who is providing the biofuel used for this flight, has repeatedly stated that the development of sustainable biofuel is strategic plan and has long worked closely with other industry players, such as academic institutions , governments and environmental organizations, to accelerate the availability of sustainable fuel sources and low carbon emissions.

In October 2009, Boeing and ASA signed memorandum, agreeing on a series of studies and formalizing this collaboration by a commitment to work through the roundtable for sustainable biofuels, a global multi-sector initiative.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Department of Civil Aviation Airworthiness (ASTAM) and the Spanish Department of Aero Navigation and Civil Aviation, in various occasions, has said that the low carbon fuel complies with all safety and security requirements.

With this unprecedented transcontinental flight, the Mexican Government, Boeing and Aeromexico establish themselves as world leaders in biofuel development for aviation and reaffirm their commitment to work together to preserve the environment and contribute to reversing the impact caused by the aviation industry on the environment.