TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Transportation has asked airlines operating in Indonesia to use environmentally friendly fuel in anticipation of the future depletion of fossil fuels, the ministry's Secretary General Santoso Edy Wibowo said on Monday, as reported by Antara News.

"A new alternative is required in anticipation of the depletion of avtur in the future," stated Santoso, adding that the growing airline industry in Indonesia will need more energy.

According to Santoso, the government is currently developing green fuel technology, which is expected to be used in 2016. A non-binding government regulation supporting the use of biofuel for the airline industry will also be formulated, Santoso said.

Meanwhile, operational director from the national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia Capt Novianto Herupratomo expressed hope that the government will sell biofuel at a cheap price or, at least, a similar price with the fossil fuel avtur (aviation fuel).

Currently, Garuda Indonesia is operating 96 airplanes using avtur. The use of avtur is predicted to rise from 1.8 billion liters to 2 billion liters in 2016.

Novianto noted that Garuda Indonesia had tried to reduce the use of avtur by using new planes that are more economical.

ANTARA | MUHAMMAD RAZI RAHMAN | ARNIE FENIA ARIMBI | INE