Feb. 25, 2008 - A Virgin Atlantic 747 flew from London to Amsterdam yesterday powered in part by fuel derived from renewable plant sources. One of the plane's four fuel tanks contained a blend of 80% conventional jet fuel and 20% biofuel composed of coconut and babassu nut oils from the Amazonian rainforest.

Virgin founder Richard Branson called the flight a "vital breakthrough" for the airline industry. Critics charge, however, that biofuels aren't enough to green the fast-growing aviation industry. Air travel may account for as much as 5% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, according to one estimate.

In September, Branson pledged to avoid buying fuel-thirsty four-engine aeroplanes to help curb fuel costs as well as the environmental impact of his airline business.

Earlier this month, airplane manufacturer Airbus successfully flighted-tested a synthetic liquid fuel processed from natural gas.