Thai Airways International (THAI) joined hands with PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) in piloting the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a flight from Phuket to Bangkok on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media about the pilot flight at Phuket International Airport, OR president and chief executive Disathat Panyarachun said the use of the SAF marks a new milestone in promoting an eco-friendly aviation business.
The first SAF flight also involved Neste, a Finland-based sustainable fuel production company; PTT International Trading Pte Ltd (PTTT); and Petco Trading Labuan Company Limited (PTLCL), a Malaysia-based retailer that transfers the fuel to Phuket.
Mr Disathat said the SAF was made from used cooking oil (UCO) that had similar chemical structures as traditional Jet A-1 aviation fuel. The SAF is the main term used by the aviation industry to describe a non-conventional (fossil-derived) aviation fuel, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel and they can be safely mixed with the latter to varying degrees. They do not require the aircraft or engines to be adapted.
Relative to fossil fuels, sustainably produced, unconventional jet fuel results in a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across its life cycle.
