14/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Commercial flight cuts CO2 emissions by half. Using biofuels, better air traffic control and continuous descent approach (CDA), Airbus and Air France claimed, on Thursday 13 October, that they had made the most environmentally-friendly commercial flight. The Airbus A321 is reported to have cut its CO2 emissions by half compared to a standard flight, during a flight between Toulouse and Paris. To achieve this, a mixture of fuels was used, composed of 50% of biofuels. The continuous descent approach technique, which is becoming more widespread, is a way to reduce fuel burn. During a CDA procedure the aircraft descends continuously, avoiding level flight prior to the final approach, and requires significantly less engine thrust and therefore less fuel burn. (MD/transl.jl)