OREANDA-NEWS. United Airlines started operating flights between Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport on Friday that use a fuel blend containing 30pc renewable jet fuel and 70pc petroleum jet fuel.

The company plans to use biofuel on flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco for the next two weeks and will then expand its use to all flights operating out of Los Angeles.

The fuel for the flights will be produced by AltAir Paramount. United reached an agreement with AltAir in 2013 to buy biofuels that are produced using Honeywell UOP's renewable jet fuel refining technology, which converts oils and fats into fuel. United will purchase at least 15mn USG/yr from AltAir over the next three years.

United is also working with Fulcrum Bioenergy to supply renewable jet fuel. Fulcrum is developing technology that will be able to turn garbage — such as paper, plastic, fabric and wood — into renewable jet fuel by 2017. United has a long-term agreement Fulcrum that will enable it to purchase 90mn USG/yr beginning in 2018 for a minimum of 10 years.