Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30–35% by 2030, against a 2019 baseline, under its new Mid-Term Sustainability Roadmap 2026–2035. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), fleet renewal, fuel-efficiency improvements and ground electrification are among the measures identified to support the group’s aviation decarbonisation plans.
Launched on 19 October 2026, the roadmap also sets a target to reduce emissions intensity by 40–45% by 2035, as MAG works towards its longer-term commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The plan supports the group’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 and covers operations, facilities, its value chain, workforce and governance.
MAG president and group chief executive officer Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar said implementation would depend on changes to day-to-day operational decisions and continued engagement with industry partners.
SAF and fleet renewal form part of aviation decarbonisation plans
MAG plans to pursue several measures across its aviation operations, including renewing its fleet, improving fuel efficiency, electrifying ground operations and using SAF. The group also referred to eligible carbon credits in line with applicable regulatory requirements.
The roadmap highlights the need for coordination across airlines, airports, government agencies, regulators and supporting industries. Expanding access to SAF, installing charging infrastructure for electric ground equipment and improving waste-recovery systems will require investment and cooperation beyond the airline group itself.
MAG also identified Malaysia Airports as a potential partner for coordinated initiatives in areas where their operations intersect, including cleaner energy, terminal efficiency and ground electrification.
The announcement did not specify a SAF procurement volume, a blending target or a timetable for scaling up SAF use.
MAG reports progress against existing sustainability measures
MAG said it had reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 22% against its 2019 baseline. It also reported avoiding 30.1 million single-use plastic items onboard and reducing building energy intensity by 13% between 2023 and 2025, compared with its 2023 baseline.
The group’s sustainability programme gained momentum in 2021 with the establishment of a sustainability governance structure and the introduction of initiatives across its businesses, including an inaugural flight powered by SAF. MAG said it had since strengthened its greenhouse gas accounting, sustainable procurement and carbon-trading policy frameworks.
The group has also received the International Air Transport Association’s Integrated Sustainability Programme Sustainable Procurement certification. MAG described itself as the first airline group in ASEAN to achieve the certification.
Building efficiency, waste and workforce targets
Beyond flight operations, MAG aims to reduce building energy intensity by 20% against a 2023 baseline by 2030 and divert 55% of waste from landfill by the same year.
The roadmap also includes workforce and governance objectives. MAG aims for women to represent 37% of its workforce by 2030 and 40% by 2035, with a particular focus on technical roles. The group said it would also strengthen its approach to human rights and report transparently on implementation progress and challenges.
Fleet renewal remains another major part of the strategy. MAG aims to operate a modern mainline fleet of 117 aircraft by 2035, with newer aircraft expected to support fuel efficiency and operational performance.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
MAG’s roadmap places SAF among several measures intended to reduce aviation emissions intensity, but the target alone does not establish how much SAF the group will use or how much of its planned reduction will come from the fuel. Fleet renewal, operational efficiency, ground electrification and other measures are also part of the approach.
For the SAF market, the announcement is a signal of continued airline interest in lower-carbon aviation fuels in Southeast Asia. Turning that interest into increased demand will depend on practical factors such as fuel availability, supply-chain readiness, cost and airport infrastructure. MAG’s emphasis on collaboration reflects the fact that airlines cannot expand SAF use independently of producers, fuel suppliers and airport operators.
Progress should be assessed against the roadmap’s 2019 emissions-intensity baseline and through subsequent disclosures on implementation, including any quantified SAF-use targets. Emissions intensity is a measure relative to an activity or output level; it should not be interpreted as an equivalent percentage reduction in the group’s absolute emissions.
