Biofuel flight

BEIJING - China will launch its first flight using aviation biofuel this year after signing an agreement with US aviation giant Boeing on Wednesday.

At a signing ceremony for eight green energy deals between China and the US, Boeing agreed to cooperate on the launch with carrier Air China and oil major PetroChina, which will provide the jatropha-based fuel feedstock for the project.

Al Bryant, vice-president of Boeing's research and technology department in China, said the new fuel was expected to be commercially viable within three to five years.