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Garuda Indonesia set to conduct first biofuel-powered flight test
Following a successful test on the ground, Garuda is taking its biofuel test to the skies with an aircraft powered by bio-aviation fuel (BAF) containing 2.4 percent palm kernel oil.
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Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina test sustainable aviation fuel on July 23, 2023 at the Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) in Tangerang, Banten. (Pertamina)
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aruda Indonesia plans to conduct a flight test using bio-aviation fuel (BAF) produced by state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina, the flag carrier has announced in a statement on Tuesday.
The BAF, developed in cooperation with the Bandung Institute of Technology and produced at a Pertamina refinery in Cilacap, Central Java, according to Pertamina spokesperson Fadjar Djoko Santoso, contained 2.4 percent processed palm kernel oil, the statement said.
Palm kernel oil differs from regular palm oil in that it is extracted from palm seed and has a higher amount of saturated fat.
The airline said it had conducted a successful static test on an engine of one of its Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft on July 26. It would now proceed with ground tests, with flight tests to follow.
“We hope this will be our first step to support the green economy as we become the first airline in Indonesia to test bio-aviation fuel,” Garuda CEO Irfan Setiaputra said in the statement.
Read also: Pertamina to begin trial sale of bioethanol fuel this month
Indonesia has been pushing for the adoption of biofuel, as it aims to cut costly imports of fuel and crude oil. In February, it mandated that trucks and cars nationwide use B35, a biofuel blend consisting of 35 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) derived from palm oil and 65 percent diesel fuel.
