Malaysia Airlines completes first flight with sustainable aviation fuel

National carrier Malaysia Airlines has completed its first flight using sustainable aviation fuel and plans to make SAF a greater part of its fuel choice for regular flights by 2025, according to SAF supplier Neste, which collaborated with Petronas Dagangan Berhad and the airline on the flight.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH7979, utilizing an Airbus 330-200 aircraft, departed Amsterdam Airport Schiphol using a blend of about 38% SAF and conventional jet fuel and arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Neste said in a statement Dec. 17.

Neste said its SAF was produced from sustainably-sourced 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

In its neat form, and over the life cycle, Neste said its SAF reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared with fossil jet fuel.

"Neste's SAF provides immediate emission reductions and is already available today, playing a pivotal role in decarbonizing the aviation industry," said Thorsten Lange, executive vice president, Renewable Aviation at Neste.

"We continue to scale up our operations and will have the capacity to produce some 1.5 million tons of SAF annually by the end of 2023," he added.

In addition to using sustainable aviation fuel, GE Digital's FlightPulse and Fuel Insight software assisted the flight crew in planning efficient fuel procedures during the flight, Neste said. The data logged during the flight will be analyzed to better understand the opportunities to operate a more sustainable flight, it added.

SAF potential

SAF is recognized globally as the most feasible option to significantly reduce aviation emissions in the near term.

Malaysia Airlines via its parent, Malaysia Aviation Group, recently partnered with PDB to jointly explore potential opportunities that advance sustainability, including the supply and adoption of SAF at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

"Moving forward, we expect SAF to be a key component of our strategy to deliver a more sustainable travel experience," MAG Group CEO Izham Ismail said.

The companies also aim to strengthen awareness in aviation sustainability through a united communication and advocacy strategy around reducing carbon emissions.

"Sustainable aviation fuel is definitely a lot more expensive than jet fuel so it's not easy for airlines [globally] to make the switch, but I think government tax rebates and other incentives would be the push for airlines to do it," a trader said Dec. 20.

Another trader echoed similar sentiment.

"Going into 2022, we will probably be seeing more airlines using sustainable fuel for some flights, but we will also have to see how airlines do next year because the aviation sector is still seeing uncertain demand recovery due to coronavirus-related restrictions," the second trader said Dec. 20.

"SAF is definitely more expensive, so I don't think we will see entire fleets switching to SAF any time soon," he added.