Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is partnering with fuel supplier Gevo for biofuel. Gevo issued this release statement:

Gevo, Inc. announced today that it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) to purchase Gevo’s renewable jet fuel and fly the first ever commercial flight on alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ).

The single demonstration flight is expected to occur after Gevo receives ASTM International certification for its fuel, sometime in mid to late 2015. Gevo has been working through the rigorous ASTM process for six years, which includes extensive engine testing and data analysis by all of the major original equipment manufacturers to establish the specification for this drop in fuel. Once approved, this fuel can be seamlessly integrated into the distribution infrastructure and onto commercial aircraft.

Gevo’s patented ATJ is a clean burning, homegrown, drop-in jet fuel, which has the potential to deliver aviation biofuels at scale and at competitive cost.

Alaska Airlines was the first U.S. airline to fly multiple commercial passenger flights using a biofuel from used cooking oil. The carrier flew 75 flights between Seattle and Washington, D.C. and Seattle and Portland in November 2011. The airline has set a goal to using sustainable aviation biofuel at one or more of its airports by 2020.

Copyright Photo below: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N557AS (msn 35176) with APB Split Scimitar Winglets departs from Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show: