Bionas forms airline for Haj pilgrims

PETALING JAYA: A biofuel development company has formed its own airline which will provide Haj and umrah services for rural people at reasonable prices. Bionas Airways was formed by the Bio Oil Nasional (Bionas) Group, and will act as a carrier to complement existing Haj and umrah packages organised by Tabung Haji. Bionas Group chief executive officer Zurina Amnan said the services would be offered to pilgrims in Indonesia, Thailand and the Phillippines as well. “We are aware that there are not enough aircraft to bring Haj pilgrims to Mecca,” she said.

Zurina said the firm’s venture into the aviation industry would be good for Malaysian jatropha planters. “The formation of our own airline will help accelerate the harvesting and transportation of jatropha to our warehouses more effectively,” she said in her speech during the launch of the airline at the Subang airport hangar here yesterday. Bionas has successfully developed 100% biodegradable bio-petrol and bio-diesel that is sold in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and European countries at US$855 (RM2,650) per tonne.

Zurina said Bionas B20 biofuel was created by mixing japtropha oil with water, which was then blended with petrol and diesel. “We can mix up to 35% water with no corrosion to motor engines,” she said. “Our biofuel is renewable, sustainable and green.”
-thestar online.