PT Pertamina Patra Niaga is enhancing its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) distribution by partnering with Virgin Australia Airlines. The collaboration involved supplying approximately 160 kilolitres of SAF to Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737, which operated services from Bali International Airport I Gusti Ngurah Rai on September 18 and 19.
Riva Siahaan, president director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, remarked, “The first SAF delivery at Ngurah Rai Airport demonstrates Indonesia’s ability to meet the energy mix demands of the international aviation sector, where SAF serves as a viable medium-term solution for reducing carbon footprints without necessitating alterations to aircraft, airport infrastructure, or jet fuel supply chains.”
He further noted that the SAF provided meets the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standards, aligning with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the Renewable Energy Directive of the European Union (RED-EU).
Fiona Walmsley, Virgin Australia’s general manager of sustainability, highlighted that this partnership reflects the airline’s goal to reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 22 percent by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“SAF is essential for lowering the aviation sector’s carbon emissions. We are excited to demonstrate the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of using SAF in our short-haul international operations,” Walmsley stated.
She also pointed out that one of Australia’s main challenges is the availability of affordable SAF within the country. “By collaborating on this initiative, Pertamina has helped us bridge that gap, but we ultimately need support from various sectors within the Australian and international aviation industries to establish a sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective SAF operation at Virgin Australia.”
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