Low carbon skies: Bangkok Airlines refuels with SAF on flights departing Thai capital

July 3, 2025

Bangkok Airways has announced it is refuelling with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on commercial flights departing from the Thai capital.
The regional carrier, which primarily serves destinations across Thailand as well as China and the Maldives, is now uplifting SAF on flights departing from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) to international destinations including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang and the Maldives.

Despite the blend being initially just 1% SAF combined with 99% jet fuel, “the official use of SAF on commercial flights marks a significant milestone in the airline’s transition toward a more environmentally friendly future,” said Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways.
According to the airline this blend will help reduce emissions by an average of approximately 128 kg of CO2 per flight. It is also in keeping with Thailand’s proposed introduction of a SAF mandate at a 1% blend from 2026. This is expected to increase to 3 per cent in 2030 and 8 % by 2037.
By comparison, the UK’s SAF mandate, which was introduced on 1 January 2025, starts at 2 % of total UK jet fuel demand, increasing linearly to 10% in 2030 and then to 22% in 2040. It could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040.
Bangkok Airways’ low carbon journey

The regional carrier first refuelled with SAF on a pilot flight operating between Samui and Bangkok in 2024. The fuel was supplied by PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company (OR) and in May of this year, the airline signed a Letter of Intent with OR as part of its Low Carbon Skies initiative to use SAF produced domestically in Thailand.
In addition to refuelling with SAF, the airline has implemented other measures to reduce emissions, including more efficient aviation fuel use. The airline also prides itself on actively contributing to the sustainable growth of Thailand’s aviation industry.
It is “committed to evolving into a truly sustainable airline,” guided by its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework. Other areas it is investing in to decarbonise is more efficient waste management and use of resources as well as the broader adoption of alternative energy sources.
How aviation stakeholders in Thailand are scaling SAF supply and demand
In March, 2025 the Thai government through the Ministry of Industry (MoI) announced it is partnering with six local companies and their affiliates to establish a waste cooking oil-based SAF feedstock supply chain. The initiative also aims to raise public awareness and participation through campaigns, education and network-building.
In May, one of the six companies the Thai government is partnering with – Bangchak Group – announced the launch of its first SAF production plant at the Bangchak Phra Khanong Refinery in Bangkok. The facility will produce 100% neat SAF with an initial production capacity of 1m litres per day. Confirmed customers include Shell Eastern Trading in Singapore and Japan’s Cosmo Oil.
In 2023 Thailand’s flag carrying airline, Thai Airways operated its first flights using SAF produced by Neste and supplied by PTT. The refuelling was carried out at Phuket Airport ahead of the airline flying to Bangkok.
