Akasa Air and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across India, reinforcing the country's commitment to reducing aviation emissions. The collaboration is designed to strengthen the domestic SAF ecosystem while supporting India's long-term decarbonization goals and aligning with international aviation sustainability initiatives, including the International Civil Aviation Organization's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Under the agreement, both companies will establish a framework for the supply and offtake of SAF-blended Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) at selected airports nationwide. The partnership also aims to improve long-term supply readiness by exchanging demand forecasts, facilitating production planning, and progressively increasing SAF blending levels as India's production and distribution capabilities expand. Additionally, Akasa Air and BPCL will work together on policy advocacy, technical knowledge sharing, and industry engagement to accelerate the development of a robust domestic SAF value chain.
Akasa Air's Chief Financial Officer, Ankur Goel, stated that sustainability has been a guiding principle for the airline since its inception. He noted that the carrier has consistently invested in modern aircraft, advanced technologies, and responsible operational practices to minimize its environmental impact. According to him, partnering with BPCL will strengthen the airline's preparedness for SAF adoption while supporting the broader expansion of India's sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure.
BPCL's Director (Marketing), Subhankar Sen, highlighted the company's commitment to providing innovative and reliable aviation fuel solutions. He emphasized BPCL's ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including its automated aviation fuel management platform, and reaffirmed the company's focus on supporting India's transition toward cleaner energy through investments in sustainable fuel technologies and aviation decarbonization.
The MoU was formally signed by senior representatives from both organizations in the presence of BPCL and Akasa Air leadership.
Akasa Air continues to expand its sustainability initiatives beyond regulatory requirements. Its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and advanced winglet technology, delivers approximately 20% lower fuel consumption and emissions than older-generation aircraft. The airline has also deployed OpenAirlines' SkyBreathe® fuel optimization platform to improve operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, Akasa Air became the first Indian airline to voluntarily discontinue ceremonial water-cannon salutes for inaugural flights, conserving more than 530,000 litres of water.
The partnership represents another significant milestone in advancing sustainable aviation in India while supporting the government's clean energy transition and long-term climate objectives.
Impact on Product
The collaboration is expected to accelerate the commercial availability and utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)-blended Aviation Turbine Fuel across Indian airports. As production capacity and supply infrastructure expand, airlines will gain improved access to cleaner aviation fuels, enabling gradual increases in SAF blending while maintaining operational reliability. The initiative is also likely to encourage investments in domestic SAF manufacturing, feedstock processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure. Over time, the partnership will strengthen India's aviation fuel supply chain, improve the availability of low-carbon aviation fuel, reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, and support the commercialization of sustainable fuel technologies for the rapidly growing aviation sector.
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