Petronas Powers Flights with First Local SAF

In a historic step towards greener aviation, Malaysia's state oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has supplied the nation's first SAF locally-blended fuel to Malaysia Aviation Group, the parent entity of state-owned carrier Malaysia Airlines.

The SAF, which is processed and mixed at various facilities in Petronas' home country, was flown to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and is utilized to power everyday London-bound flights through September 16. This is the first time renewable fuel has been incorporated into Malaysia Airlines' routine long-haul schedule.

“This shipment is a concrete move forward in facilitating Malaysia's energy transition. Petronas acknowledges its contribution to the world's decarbonization drive, particularly in advancing Malaysia's net-zero aspiration as a catalyst driving the growth of future fuels.” added Ahmad Adly Alias, Petronas Vice President of Refining, Marketing, and Trading.

Key highlights:

• Petronas delivers Malaysia’s first locally-blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Malaysia Airlines for use on daily flights to London until September 16
• The initiative supports Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, which targets a 47% SAF blending mandate by 2050 and a 1 percent mandate for international flights from KLIA by 2027
• The move positions Petronas as a regional leader in renewable aviation fuel, advancing Malaysia’s net-zero ambitions and sustainable aviation goals

The announcement ties in with the government's 2023 National Energy Transition Roadmap, which aims for a 47 percent SAF blending requirement by 2050. Ahead of this, the government has just announced plans to introduce a 1 percent  SAF blending requirement for all international flights leaving KLIA from January 2027.

As international aviation comes under mounting pressure to decarbonize, the SAF project marks Malaysia's determination to cut carbon emissions while diversifying its domestic SAF production and supply chain capabilities.

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Relying on strategic collaborations and indigenous infrastructure, Petronas is establishing itself as a regional driving force in renewable aviation fuel, a crucial move toward clean air travel across the Asia-Pacific region.