Virgin Atlantic has completed the airline industry’s first biofuel flight – fuelled partially by babassu nut and coconut oil.

Virgin has carried out the first ever biofuel flight by a commercial airline, flying a Boeing 747 – powered partially by babassu nut and coconut oil biofuel – from Heathrow to Amsterdam.

The test flight, part of an initiative between a selection of airlines and Boeing, flew with no passengers onboard under the power of its usual four engines, one of which was powered by biofuels.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, commented on the breakthrough the initiative provides for the airline industry: “This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our aircraft in the years ahead through sustainable next-generation oils, such as algae.”

However the initiative has been dismissed by Greenpeace as “high altitude greenwash”. The environmental organisation claimed that the production of such biofuel could in itself indirectly cause severe damage to the climate, for example, the growth of certain biofuels can result in the deforestation of peatland and rainforests – which in turn releases climate-changing greenhouse emissions.

It also claimed that Virgin’s support for a third runway to be built at Heathrow airport contradicted its attempts to address climate change. Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s Chief Scientist, said: “This is a company hell-bent on unrestrained airport expansion, starting with a third runway at Heathrow which would almost double the number of flights from one of the world’s biggest airports.

“Biofuels can often cause more damage to the environment than fossil fuels, and Virgin is using this flight to divert attention from an irresponsible, business-as-usual attitude to climate change.”

Babassu nut and coconut oil are both found in everyday cosmetic products such as lipbalm, and Virgin insists that each is harvested through existing, mature plantations, and is environmentally and socially sustainable.