On Tuesday (10/10), Garuda Indonesia (GIAA.JK) announced the successful test flight of a Boeing 737-800NG aircraft powered by jet fuel blended with palm oil.
The aircraft flew more than 130 kilometers from Jakarta to Pelabuhan Ratu in the south of Java Island in a one-hour round trip last week. According to a statement from Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra, the jet fuel used contained approximately 2.4% palm oil.
Irfan added that the results of the trial have made Garuda Indonesia better equipped to explore the possibility of using sustainable jet fuel in commercial operations. He also noted that the increased use of this fuel would require comprehensive analysis.
Prior to this flight test, Garuda had conducted a series of trials, including static and engine tests, which began in July.
The palm oil blended aviation fuel is produced at PT Pertamina's (PERTM.UL) Cilacap refinery using Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology and is derived from palm oil that has undergone bleaching and deodorization processes, said Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati.
Nicke also expressed the hope that this fuel could be sold for use in commercial aviation as a historic step in the development of green energy in Indonesia. She also emphasized that the fuel produces lower emissions compared to fossil fuels.
However, some countries are concerned about the deforestation associated with palm oil production, and the European Union has imposed restrictions on imports of the commodity.
Indonesia, the world's largest producer of palm oil, is actively promoting the wider use of vegetable oils and efforts to reduce crude oil imports.
In 2021, a test flight was conducted with a similar fuel using an aircraft manufactured by PT Dirgantara Indonesia. The aircraft flew from the city of Bandung in West Java to the capital city of Jakarta.
Source: Reuters
