Bmi and the Institute of Directors today gave their backing to a trial flight of a Virgin Atlantic aircraft partly powered by biofuel.

The demonstration flight of a Boeing 747-400 from Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport took place successfully on Sunday.

One of the aircraft’s four fuel tanks was filled with a mixture of 80% conventional jet fuel and 20% coconut and babassu oil. 

Even as the trial took place, Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson admitted that the mixture was unlikely to be used for commercial flights because the land under coconut cultivation would have be hugely expanded. 

Environmental groups dismissed the flight as a meaningless publicity stunt.But Bmi deputy chief executive Tim Bye said the flight demonstrated the aviation industry was investing in research to improve environmental performance.

He contrasted that with the government doubling air passenger duty supposedly on environmental grounds, but not using the revenue for environmental research

Bye was speaking alongside Miles Templeman, director general of the Institute of Directors (IoD), after they launched research into business leaders’ views on air travel.

The research found that two thirds of IoD members were prepared to pay higher fares to ensure aviation paid its full environmental costs. On average, they felt the extra cost should be £200 more on a long-haul business class fare.

The Virgin Atlantic aircraft reached an altitude of 25,000 ft – its planned highest altitude it would reach. It had five people onboard including Captain Geoff Andreason. 

Sir Richard said the flight was a breakthrough for the whole 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,” he said.