Qatar Airways first to use gas for its airline

Dubai, Jul 4 (UNI) Qatar, which has the third largest gas reserves in the world, would soon be the first country to use gas to fly its airline.

Qatar Airways is edging closer to its dream of being the world's first airline to fly on natural gas and engine trials are likely to start in the next 12 months with commercial flights sometime later.

The airline hopes to beat the rising cost of petrol with the switch to natural gas. Qatar Airlines Chairman, Al Baker told Khaleej Times that massive plans are on, on a gas to liquid (GTL) plant.

''The Royal Dutch Shell is building the largest GTL plant in the world in Qatar, investing nearly 13 billion dollars. This would catapult Qatar into the GTL capital of the world,'' he said.

UNI XC PD RAI0922