Indonesia to use bioavtur blend on international flights at two airports

Indonesia is set to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its flight operations, with a 1% blend planned for international flights beginning in 2027. The Ministry of Transportation has designated Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Banten and I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali as the initial hubs for this initiative.

Sokhib Al Rokhman, Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, stated that the timeline for implementation is contingent on PT Pertamina's readiness to supply the bioavtur. Pertamina is currently scaling up production at national refinery facilities. The initial 1% blend is a cautious approach to ensure safety, effectiveness, and adherence to international aviation standards.

Indonesia's phased approach contrasts with some nations that have already adopted higher SAF blends as part of their low-emission transition strategies. Previous trials using a bioavtur blend were conducted successfully on Pelita Air's Airbus A320 flights between Jakarta and Denpasar from August to December 2025. These tests confirmed that the SAF blend is safe for commercial operations and does not require engine modifications, as verified by Garuda Maintenance Facility's test cell.

The Ministry of Transportation is awaiting confirmation of supply readiness from Pertamina, including production developments at refineries in Cilacap and Balongan. Following an evaluation of the 1% blend implementation, the government will consider gradual increases. The long-term vision aims for a SAF blend of 30-50% by 2060 to significantly reduce the aviation sector's carbon emissions.