Boeing, Etihad to develop aviation biofuels

Aircraft maker Boeing Co., Etihad Airways, the oil company Total and others say they will work together on a program to develop an aviation biofuel industry in the United Arab Emirates.

Boeing says in a news release Sunday that the program will involve research and development and investments in production of fuels derived from plants that can power aircraft.

Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The other participants are Takreer, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, located in Abu Dhabi.

Boeing says Etihad ran a 45-minute demonstration flight Saturday in a Boeing 777 partially powered by aviation biofuel produced in the UAE.

Boeing also has aviation biofuels programs with U.S. and other airlines.