Virgin Australia has made history as the first international airline to utilize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Indonesia’s state-owned Pertamina. The launch of SAF fueling services for the airline took place at the Ngurah Rai Aviation Fuel Terminal (AFT) during the Bali International Airshow, which ran from September 18 to 21 at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Maya Kusmaya, the central marketing and trading director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, remarked, “The successful distribution of SAF at Ngurah Rai Airport highlights Indonesia’s ability to adapt to the evolving energy demands of the international aviation industry.” She noted that SAF represents a viable medium-term solution for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint without necessitating changes to aircraft or airport infrastructure.
The SAF distribution aligns with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) framework, as well as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED-EU). The fuel complies with standards established by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and is recognized as a Corsia Eligible Fuel (CEF) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Kusmaya explained, “This advancement in sustainable aviation can significantly reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels, as Pertamina’s SAF comprises 38.43% synthetic kerosene derived from used cooking oil and 61.57% aviation turbine fuel from fossil sources.”
Fiona Walmsley, Virgin Australia’s sustainability general manager, emphasized that this collaboration marks a crucial step toward achieving net-zero emissions targets for both Indonesia and Australia. “Together, we are committed to minimizing our carbon footprint and implementing innovative, eco-friendly solutions, demonstrating our resolve to create a more sustainable future for the aviation industry,” she stated.
During the airshow, approximately 160 kiloliters of SAF were supplied for Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737 flights, connecting Bali to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and the Gold Coast.
The SAF distribution at Ngurah Rai is managed through a mass balance chain of custody method, which allows for the mixing of conventional fossil fuel-sourced aviation products with renewable fuels in the same tank, given their similar technical specifications. Despite the blending, detailed recording and bookkeeping of both aviation turbine fuel and SAF are maintained separately.
Pertamina Patra Niaga has committed to expanding SAF distribution globally and is actively promoting energy transition in aviation to support Indonesia’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. The SAF produced from waste is refined alongside fossil fuels to create low-carbon synthetic fuel, potentially reducing carbon emissions by up to 84% compared to conventional jet fuel.
