Last month Virgin Atlantic announced it would purchase 15 787-9 Boeing Dreamliners. At approximately $2.8 billion, this order is the largest European order to date. The order includes options for an additional eight 787-9s and purchase rights for 20 more 787s.

 

 

Sir Richard Branson last year launched Virgin Fuels, which is investing over $400 million in the renewable energy and resource efficiency sectors in the US and Europe.

 

Boeing and Virgin are sharing some environmental efforts that include a joint biofuel demonstration to develop sustainable jet fuel sources that do not impact the performance of commercial jet engines or the aviation industry. In addition to alternative fuels, the joint effort is examining procedural changes such as towing aircraft to “starting grid” areas before they start their engines, with the target of a 50% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emission.