Bangkok--28 Mar--OutDoor PR Plus
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced that its ?Thai Aviation and Environmental Workshop - Biofuels and Efficient Flight Operation? was a success. THAI stated that Thailand has potential to become the regional hub for biofuels development in the future.
The ?Thai Aviation and Environmental Workshop ? Biofuels and Efficient Flight Operations,? held on March 20-21, was the first seminar of its kind to be held in Thailand with collaboration between THAI and private and public sectors in Thailand and abroad. The workshop objective was to hold panel discussions for experts to exchange ideas that will lead towards sustainable biofuels development for the aviation industry.
Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI President, said that biofuels development is not easy in real practice as it involves various local and international stakeholders. However, THAI will remain steadfast on its mission to reduce carbon emissions by 50% within year 2050 by using alternatives fuels.
?Under the ?Travel Green? concept, THAI?s policy is to transform itself into being a ?green? airline. THAI is now embarking on a more intensive ?green? program by reducing paper usage in the aircraft. e-Magazines and e-Duty free will soon be implemented, which will reduce costs while substantially saving energy,? he said.
Mr. Amranand further stated that due the rising demand for biofuels in the country, THAI has strong confidence that Thailand will become Asia?s regional hub for biofuels development. Biofuels usage has increased substantially over the years, whererby Thailand now consumes as much as 2.5 million liters of biofuels per day, compared to 200,000 liters per day consumed 6 years ago. Biofuels consumption level has increased 1.6 million liters a day. At the same time, biodiesel consumption has also increased from 200,000 liters per day to 2.5 million liters per day.
To achieve the mission, he said that support is required from the Government and the private sector, including cooperation with international commercial air carriers and related partners. Currently, THAI is cooperating with PTT Public Company Limited and hopes for future collaboration with the Government.
Assistant Prof. Dr. Sutkhet Nakasathien, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, said that to successfully develop biofuel, it is necessary to give importance to planting alternative energy crops such as cassava, sugarcane, palm, and nuts. At the same time, a clear government policy on biofuels is needed to stimulate investment from private sectors. Therefore, Ministries that include the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Energy must be involved in the project in order for Thailand to be developed as the regional biofuels hub.
?The Government needs to create policies that meet with the requirements of small-and-medium-size farmers. Also, the Government needs to create confidence amongst related parties involved with the development. Incentives, well-planned marketing, logistics, and energy crop development are aspects of importance that the Government has to take heed of. Furthermore, the Government needs to stimulate development from the beginning to the end, from the farmer to the consumer, granting technological knowledge and developmental guidelines,? he said.
Captain Sinnop Theprugsa, THAI?s Boeing 777 Test Pilot, said that the aviation industry is experiencing rapid growth and as a result it is an industry that must have a vital role in reducing CO2 emissions. This effort begins with effective collaboration amongst domestic and international stakeholders, in addition to progressive aircraft engine as well as energy development. THAI is currently moving towards becoming a green airline, which began by implementing technologies like PBN (Performance Based Navigation), DABRP (Dynamic Air Borne Reroute Procedures), Accurate Flight Planning and CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) which aid in reducing the amount of fuel consumed during operations. He further stated that THAI will work with AEROTHAI, Boeing, and Roll-Royce and the Company will continue learning, updating and finding sustainable solutions for biofuels development.
The ?Thai Aviation and Environmental Workshop ? Biofuels and Efficient Flight Operations? is considered as one of the most important milestones to stimulate sustainable biofuels development in Thailand and across the Asia region. The discussions that took place during the two-day workshop will enable related sectors to analyze and find solutions towards creating a greener future.
For more information, please contact
http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/biofuelsworkshop