Garuda Indonesia tests Palm oil-blended jet fuel flight
The Indonesian flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia successfully completed the first test flight using jet fuel blend with 2.4% Palm oil content with Boeing 737-800NG.
The aircraft undertook a journey of more than 130 km, flying from Jakarta to Pelabuhan Ratu situated in the southern region of Java island. The Indonesian flag carrier has been conducting test flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) since July this year.
Irfan Setiaputra, CEO, Garuda Indonesia said “the airline stands ready to further examine the feasibility of using SAF for commercial flights.”
However, he said that a broader adoption would be contingent upon further analysis of the fuel. This recent flight follows Garuda’s extensive preliminary tests, which included static tests and engine ground tests, initiated in July.
The blended jet fuel was produced by Indonesia’s PT Pertamina at its Cilacap refinery. The blend was produced using hydro processed esters and fatty acid (HEFA) technology and is made of refined bleached deodorized palm kernel oil.