MASwings operates first sustainable aviation fuel passenger flight

Group photo of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Petronas team in front of MASwings ATR 72-500 aircraft powered with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). -Pix courtesy of MASwings

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) subsidiary MASwings has operated its first passenger flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Flight MH3043, using an ATR72-500 aircraft, took off here on Thursday (Dec 1) for Labuan at 10am with 40 passengers on board and continued to Miri, Sarawak via MH3223 at 11am with 44 passengers, said the Borneo regional carrier in a statement.

"Today's first SAF on passenger flights operated by MASwings marks a significant milestone in creating a more sustainable operating environment and to achieve the group's target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"Without these crucial first steps, we will never be able to progress.

"I applaud our team's efforts as it demonstrates our commitment to a 'sustainable tomorrow' by ensuring that its services and operations in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan meets the aspirations and expectations of the government and the public," said MASwings chief operating officer Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar.

All passengers on the flights were given special souvenirs of upcycled goods handmade by the MAG team.

The gathering to commemorate the take-off was also attended by MAG chief sustainability officer Philip See and PETRONAS Dagangan representatives led by its general manager (commercial business division) Ramzulhakim Ramli.

In line with MAG's sustainability journey which is guided by the group's sustainability blueprint launched in April last year, the initiative by MASwings adds to a series of SAF flights launched starting with the country's first cargo and passenger flights using SAF.

This includes the country's first registered commercial aircraft from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, the first passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore operated by Malaysia Airlines, as well as Firefly's (sister company under MAG) first domestic passenger flight from Subang to Penang and first international flight from Seletar, Singapore to Subang.