• First commercial sustainable aviation fuel flight to Tasmania
• Flights celebrate Tasmania’s commitment to sustainable tourism
• Potential new industry to create jobs and provide cleaner fuel sources

Jetstar has made Australian aviation history today, operating the first commercial flights to and from Tasmania powered by sustainable aviation fuel.

JQ flight 705 departed Melbourne at 0950 and arrived in Hobart at 1105 where the aircraft was greeted by Tourism Tasmania Chief Executive Tony Mayell.

David Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Australia & New Zealand said the airline joined a handful of carriers around the world who have operated sustainable aviation fuel flights.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Jetstar and today we are the first low fares carrier in the Asia Pacific region to operate a commercial sustainable aviation fuel flight,” Mr Hall said.

“We chose Hobart as the destination for the biofuel flight because of Tasmania’s commitment to sustainable tourism and reflecting its unique environment.”

Tasmanian Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon said: “It’s wonderful to see Tasmania being chosen by Jetstar as the destination for their biofuel powered commercial flight.

“Sufficient and reliable access to our island state isn’t just important for tourism, it’s a fundamental requirement for our economy and our community.”

Tourism Tasmania CEO Tony Mayell congratulated Jetstar on its commitment to the initiative and to Tasmania generally.

“Tasmania has prided itself on its widespread use of renewable energy, and as an island state that is very proud and protective of our unmatched natural environment,” Mr Mayell said.

“Jetstar’s commitments to reduce fuel costs, achieve lower emissions and create a more sustainable aviation sector can only benefit Tasmania in the long run.”

Mr Hall said Jetstar, as part of the Qantas Group, welcomes the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a feasibility study into a sustainable aviation fuel industry.

“We are keen to examine alternatives to regular jet fuel that would help reduce emissions and support an industry which could potentially generate up to 12,000 jobs over the next 20 years,” Mr Hall said.

“Fuel makes up around 40 per cent of our costs and investigating alternative fuel sources is not only sustainable environmentally but if financially sustainable and would help Jetstar continue to offer low fares and drive new markets.”

Supplied by SkyNRG, the fuel type is a 50:50 blend of biofuel and conventional jet fuel certified for use in commercial aviation. Its ‘life cycle’ carbon footprint is around 60 per cent smaller than that of conventional jet fuel.

Jetstar launched services to Tasmania in May 2004 and operates a total of 92 weekly return services from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

During the 2011 financial year, Jetstar carried more than 1.25 million passengers on services across Bass Strait.

Our passengers have the option to offset their share of flight emissions when they fly by choosing the carbon offset option when booking on Jetstar.com.