Green aviation fuel rules enforced next week

Thailand's first standard for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is slated for enforcement from Jan 1, 2026, setting a new trend of using greener fuel in the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint, says the Department of Energy Business.

- YUTHANA PRAIWAN

The move comes as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding on SAF promotion with eight airlines last month, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help the government achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050.

The airlines are Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Vietjet Thailand, K-Mile Air, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X and Thai Lion Air.

The aircraft biofuel SAF produces up to 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuel, according to media reports citing various forecasts.