The biofuel for jet engines has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Since biokerosene has similar properties to those of conventional kerosene it can be used for all aircraft types without any need for modifications to the aircraft or its engines. The first flight of the six-month trial, operating under flight number LH013, will take off today from Hamburg at 11.15 hrs (CET) bound for Frankfurt. During the six months test run period, the use of biofuel will reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 1,500 tonnes.

The biosynthetic kerosene used by Lufthansa is derived jatropha, camelina and animal fats. In the procurement of biofuel, Lufthansa ensures that it originates from a sustainable supply and production process. Suppliers must provide proof of the sustainability of their processes and meet the criteria stipulated by the European Parliament and the Council in the Renewable Energy Directive. Lufthansa guarantees that the production of its biofuel is not in direct competition with food production and that no rainforests are destroyed.

The renewable fuel used by Lufthansa, NExBTL, is produced by Neste Oil.

Lufthansa puts the total costs of conducting the biofuel project at about €6.6 million (US$9.3 million). The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology has awarded €2.5 million (US$3.5 million) in funding for this project, which is part of a larger project known as FAIR (Future Aircraft Research) set up to examine other issues besides the compatibility of biofuels, including new propulsion and aircraft concepts and other fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).