GOVT CALLS ON AIRLINES TO USE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FUEL

Jakarta, 15  Dzulqa’dah 1435/10 September 2014 (MINA) – The Ministry of Transportation has asked airlines operating in Indonesia to use environmentally friendly fuel in anticipation of the future depletion of fossil fuels, the ministrys Secretary General Santoso Edy Wibowo reported here on Monday.

“A new alternative is required in anticipation of the depletion of avtur in the future,” stated Santoso, adding that the growing airline industry in Indonesia will need more energy.

According to him, the government is currently developing green fuel technology, which is expected to be used in 2016. A non-binding government regulation supporting the use of biofuel for the airline industry will also be formulated, Santoso said, Antaranews quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Meanwhile, operational director from the national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia Capt Novianto Herupratomo expressed hope that the government will sell biofuel at a cheap price or, at least, a similar price with the fossil fuel avtur.

Currently, Garuda Indonesia is operating 96 airplanes using avtur. The use of avtur is predicted to rise from 1.8 billion liters to 2 billion liters in 2016.

Novianto noted that Garuda Indonesia had tried to reduce the use of avtur by using new planes that are more economical.(T/P009R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)