Lion Air Group, Gapki Team Up to Develop Bio Aviation Fuel

The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki) and Lion Air Group signed an agreement to carry out joint research to develop bio aviation turbine fuel (bioavtur), The Jakarta Post  reported on April 10.  

“This agreement is opening the way to reduce the dependency of aviation companies on fossil fuels and to absorb palm oil produced in this country,” said Lion Air Group founder Rusdi Kirana, who was also Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia, after attending the signing ceremony in Jakarta.  Rusdi said the use of bioavtur would not only help boost the economy but would also help improve the welfare of oil palm farmers.  

Gapki advisory council member Franky O. Widjaya welcomed the agreement, saying that the use of bioavtur would help develop the downstream palm oil business.  The government plans to use 3 percent bioavtur this year.