RI to launch one-percent SAF blend on international flights by 2027

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Transportation said the initial implementation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with a one percent bioavtur blend will focus on international flights operating from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.

The ministry's Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations, Sokhib Al Rokhman, said the implementation of SAF is targeted to begin in 2027.

"It will apply only to two airports with international flights; Soekarno-Hatta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International airports," he stated in a press statement on Sunday.

According to Sokhib, SAF blend implementation will depend on the readiness of SAF supplies from PT Pertamina, which is currently expanding its production capacity through several domestic refineries.

The ministry will initially set the SAF blend at one percent to ensure safe, effective, and compliant implementation in accordance with international aviation operational standards.

He noted that Indonesia has opted for a gradual approach, despite several countries adopting higher SAF blending mandates as part of their transition to low-emission aviation.

He noted that SAF trials were carried out using Pelita Air's Airbus A320 aircraft on the Jakarta–Denpasar and Denpasar–Jakarta routes between August and December 2025.

The trials have entered the commercial operation phase and proceeded without any problems, demonstrating the safety of SAF for civil aviation operations, Sokhib continued.

Sokhib emphasized that using SAF does not require aircraft engine modifications, noting that all technical tests were carried out at the Garuda Maintenance Facility's test cell.

He said the tests confirmed that the engines operated normally, with no technical issues reported during the six-month SAF trial on commercial flights.

After the one percent blend is implemented, the government will conduct a comprehensive evaluation before considering a gradual increase in the SAF blending ratio for commercial flights.

The government aims to gradually increase SAF use to a blend ratio of around 30–50 percent by 2060 as part of its efforts to cut emissions from the national aviation sector.

"We will implement it in phases. Starting with a one percent blend, we will evaluate how the technology performs in aircraft engines. The blending ratio will then be increased gradually to reach 30 to 50 percent SAF by 2060," he remarked.

Related news: Pertamina accelerates energy transition with biofuels, SAF

Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

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