Indonesian Flights to Begin Using SAF in 2027 to Reduce Emissions

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), has announced that the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Indonesian flights will commence in 2027. The policy is being prepared as part of a low-emission air transport transformation. “So, the spirit is that in 2027 we will use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), meaning this is an alternative to conventional avtur and it is much cleaner,” AHY said while opening a Ministerial-Level Coordination Meeting on Strengthening Airport Ecosystem Governance in Jakarta on Thursday (25/6). The government is preparing the transformation of the low-emission aviation sector through the implementation of sustainable fuel starting in 2027. AHY stated that this step is an important part of maintaining a balance between national economic growth and environmental conservation commitments. According to AHY, the development of the aviation sector must continue to consider the impact of climate change and environmental challenges due to increasing global carbon emissions. Therefore, the government is preparing decarbonisation measures in the aviation sector. These measures include reducing energy consumption, converting energy sources, and increasing the efficiency of national resource utilisation. The decarbonisation efforts are also directed at strengthening the airport ecosystem so that air transport development aligns with the national sustainable development agenda. In addition to the use of SAF, the government is encouraging the implementation of the net zero emission airport concept. AHY considers this concept realistic to achieve through environmentally friendly infrastructure and technology approaches. He noted that several airports in various countries have already implemented the net zero emission concept. These experiences can serve as a reference for developing sustainable airports in Indonesia. In the initial phase, the implementation of SAF will be focused on one percent of international flights departing from Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, and I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. The government hopes this initial implementation will become an important milestone before the use of SAF is gradually expanded to more international and domestic flight routes. AHY also emphasised that the development of SAF is expected to be carried out from upstream to downstream domestically. This development must still meet the sustainability and quality standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).