New Regulations Kickstart Cleaner Skies
On 1 January 2026 Thailand will introduce mandatory blending of sustainable aviation fuel in all Jet A1 sold nationwide. The Department of Energy Business has created three clear fuel categories so suppliers and airlines can transition smoothly: classic Jet A1, co processed fuel, and a blend of Jet A1 with neat SAF. Only SAF that follows ASTM D7566 and is produced with hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids technology will qualify. By mirroring global benchmarks Thailand guarantees that every litre uplifted at its airports will satisfy the same specifications used by leading carriers in Europe and North America.
Local Projects Already Underway
Domestic capacity is building fast. Bangchak Corporation is constructing a facility that will transform used cooking oil into one million litres of SAF each day, while PTT Global Chemical is already delivering sixteen thousand litres daily through co processing. Because both projects rely on a widely available waste product, they reduce reliance on imported crude and create new revenue for restaurant chains that previously paid to dispose of oil.
A Non-Obvious Supply Chain Benefit
An often overlooked outcome of mandatory blending is that it encourages airports to modernise fuel storage early. Separate tanks for neat SAF prevent cross contamination and open the door for future biofuels in ground service equipment as well. The same pipeline upgrades that carry blended jet fuel could later distribute renewable diesel to catering trucks and baggage tractors, multiplying the climate gains without additional construction.
Conclusion
Thailand is pairing clear policy signals with immediate investment, positioning itself as a Southeast Asian hub for sustainable flight. As production scales and infrastructure modernises, travellers can expect lower carbon journeys that also support local circular economies.