Potential and challenges of drop-in biojet fuel in malaysia

Abstract

“Drop-in” biojet fuel is the term used for the renewable alternative jet fuel which requires no modification on the current aircraft engine and the existing infrastructures. Technically, biojet fuel is ready to be used as either mixed with petroleum-based jet fuel or potentially become a 100% replacement for conventional jet fuel. Although there have been some airline companies utilizing biojet fuel for their fleets, Malaysian airline companies have yet to implement it. Thus, the main objectives of this research are to investigate the potential of drop-in biojet fuel, to identify the challenges in implementing drop-in biojet fuel and to measure the potential and the challenges of drop-in biojet fuel to ensure a smooth transition in using the alternative jet fuel; all within Malaysia Airline Berhad (MAB) contexts and parameters. The quantitative data result shows that most of MAB’s personnel in engineering and management department are aware and knowledgeable in biojet fuel. Most of them acknowledge the potential and challenges of drop-in biojet fuel. From the response from respondent, it is highly potential in Malaysia for the drop-in biojet fuel to be implemented. However, there are still challenges that need to be tacked to ensure the transition process from conventional to biojet fuel is smooth.