Bangchak supplies 1st Thailand-produced SAF to Thai Airways flight
- Bangchak Corporation Public Company Ltd.
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Bangchak Group announced July 16 that it and Thai Airways have marked a significant milestone for Thailand’s aviation and energy industries with the first supply by Bangchak Group of Thailand-produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Thai Airways flight TG 409 on the Bangkok-Singapore route at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
This landmark collaboration between two leading Thai organizations supports efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from aviation and accelerate the energy transition toward net zero.
The SAF used for this flight was produced at Thailand’s first standalone SAF production facility, operated by Bangchak.
The facility commenced commercial operations in May, with an initial production capacity of 1 million liters (approximately 264,000 gallons) per day.
Used cooking oil (UCO) serves as the primary feedstock.
Compared with conventional aviation fuel, the SAF can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80 percent over its lifecycle.
The production and supply system is certified under recognized international and EU standards.
“The global aviation industry is undergoing a significant transition, with SAF serving as a key mechanism for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions,” said Bangchak President and CEO Chaiwat Kovavisarach. “This collaboration between Bangchak Group and Thai Airways not only marks the first use of Thailand-produced HEFA-SPK SAF by Thai Airways but also demonstrates Thailand’s readiness to move toward a low-carbon aviation industry. This aligns with the direction of the global aviation sector and creates new business opportunities while supporting long-term greenhouse-gas emission reductions.”
Kovavisarach said that over the past few years, he has had opportunities to exchange views with executives from many countries through Bangchak Group’s membership of the World Economic Forum.
“While countries differ in their readiness and approaches, one message has been consistent—SAF can scale only when private-sector investment is supported by clear government direction and policy,” he said. “Producers need visibility on market demand, while users need confidence in availability, pricing and the conditions governing SAF use. Clear targets and timelines will enable all parties to make long-term plans in the same direction. For Thailand, establishing clear adoption targets and timelines would strengthen confidence among both producers and users while encouraging greater use of domestically produced SAF. Bangchak Group will continue working with partners in Thailand and internationally to develop the SAF ecosystem, promote the use of circular feedstocks and create greater value from Thailand’s biological resources, one of the country’s key strengths. These efforts will support GDP growth, create jobs and promote sustainability, strengthen energy security and expand business growth opportunities while delivering long-term reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.”
Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri added, “Driving sustainable growth in the aviation industry requires collaboration from all sectors across the entire supply chain, including energy producers, aviation service providers, regulatory authorities, airlines and all relevant partners. The use of sustainable aviation fuel produced in Thailand on this occasion demonstrates the country’s capability to jointly develop a strong energy and aviation ecosystem that is ready to support the aviation industry’s transition toward a sustainable future.”
The SAF was transported from the Bangchak refinery in Phra Khanong to Suvarnabhumi Airport via the pipeline system operated by Bangkok Fuel Pipeline and Logistics Company Ltd.
It was delivered to the aviation-fuel depot operated by Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Ltd. at Suvarnabhumi Airport before entering the aircraft-refueling system under the same standards applied to conventional aviation fuel.
